配料
pèiliào
In Chinese, "ingredients" is translated as 配料 (pèiliào).
配料 refers to the food items or substances that are combined to make a particular dish. For example, if you are looking at the ingredient list found on food packaging, this is called 配料表. While 配料 is a common way to describe ingredients, the term 食材 can also be used for any type of ingredient, including vegetables, meat, spices or condiments.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 配料 consists of 配 (pèi), meaning to match or complement and 料 (liào), meaning material or substance.
Which one should you use?
配料 refers to the specific ingredients added to a dish, such as spices or garnishes. In contrast, 原料 refers to the primary raw materials used in production or cooking.
How do you pronounce it?
pèiliào
Did you know?
- In Chinese culinary culture, the term 料 can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'stuff' or 'substance' of a person's character or talent.
- The word 配 (pèi) in 配料 shares its root with the word for 'partner' or 'spouse', reflecting the idea that ingredients must 'pair' perfectly with one another.
- While 配料 lists the components, the Chinese concept of 'breath of the wok' or 锅气 is often considered the secret 'ingredient' that defines a professional dish.
Examples in context
- 豌豆和胡蘿蔔是做湯的常見配料。Peas and carrots are common ingredients in soups.This sentence is useful for seeing how to list common ingredients in a soup.Tatoeba #6940189 by xjjAstrus, translation #689015 by bferrant
- 把配料好好混一下。Mix the ingredients well.This sentence is useful for giving an instruction to mix ingredients.Tatoeba #784355 by fucongcong, translation #9662836 by DJ_Saidez
- 这道菜有哪些食材？What are the ingredients in this dish?
- 这个汤里有哪些调料？What are the seasonings in this soup?
- 我们做这道菜需要哪些东西？What ingredients do we need for this recipe?
- 这道炒菜里有哪些料？What are the ingredients in this stir-fry?
- 这个火锅里有哪些食材？What ingredients are in this hot pot?
- 你有炒饭的食材吗？Do you have the ingredients for fried rice?
- 请列出所有配料。Qǐng liè chū suǒ yǒu pèi liào.Please list all the ingredients.
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are cooking together in the kitchen.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，所有的配料都准备好了吗？Xiǎowén, suǒyǒu de pèiliào dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?Xiaowen, are all the ingredients ready?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen快好了，还差一点姜。Kuài hǎo le, hái chà yīdiǎn jiāng.Almost, I'm just missing a bit of ginger.
- 浩然 Haoran那我帮你去买配料。Nà wǒ bāng nǐ qù mǎi pèiliào.Then I will help you buy the ingredients.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢浩然，麻烦你了。Xièxiè Hàorán, máfan nǐ le.Thanks Haoran, sorry to trouble you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
