泡菜
pàocài
In Chinese, the English word kimchi is translated as 泡菜 (pàocài). Wiktionary also lists 韓式泡菜 / 韩式泡菜 (Hánshì pàocài) and 韓國泡菜 / 韩国泡菜 (Hánguó pàocài).
Meaning: Korean dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 泡菜 | pàocài |
| 韓式泡菜 / 韩式泡菜 | Hánshì pàocài |
| 韓國泡菜 / 韩国泡菜 | Hánguó pàocài |
| 辛奇 | xīnqí |
While 泡菜 is used for kimchi, it is also the general term for any pickled vegetables in Chinese.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 泡菜 is composed of 泡 (to soak/steep) and 菜 (vegetable/dish).
Which one should you use?
Use 韓式泡菜 or 韓國泡菜 to specifically distinguish Korean kimchi from other types of Chinese pickled vegetables. Additionally, 辛奇 is a phonetic transliteration of the Korean word 'kimchi' used in official or technical contexts to avoid confusion with Chinese pickled vegetables.
How do you pronounce it?
pàocài
Did you know?
- The Korean word 'kimchi' actually has its ultimate roots in the Chinese language.
Examples in context
- 這次任務充滿了里程碑：這將是韓國女性首次進入太空軌道，也是代表韓國的蒜味辣白菜，「泡菜」，第一次出現在零重力餐桌上。The mission is full of landmarks: it will be the first time a South Korean woman has headed into orbit, and it will also be the first time that "kimchi", that spicy, garlicky cabbage dish that epitomizes South Korea, will be served at the zero-gravity dinner table.This sentence is useful for seeing how 泡菜 is used when describing a dish that represents South Korea.Tatoeba #13540003 by LeviHighway, translation #11074564 by Cangarejo
- 在韩国菜中，泡菜是一道非常受欢迎的开胃菜。Kimchi is a very popular appetizer in Korean cuisine.
- 餐厅里卖的韩国泡菜非常辣。The kimchi sold at the restaurant is very spicy.
- 我最喜歡吃韓國泡菜。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī Hánguó pàocài.I like eating Korean kimchi the most.
- 這盤泡菜味道很酸。Zhè pán pàocài wèidào hěn suān.This dish of kimchi tastes very sour.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are ordering food at a Korean restaurant.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你想点什么？Zhìqiáng, nǐ xiǎng diǎn shénme?Zhiqiang, what do you want to order?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我想点一份泡菜汤。Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yī fèn pàocài tāng.I want to order a kimchi soup.
- 梓涵 Zihan好，我也要一份泡菜。Hǎo, wǒ yě yào yī fèn pàocài.Okay, I want a serving of kimchi too.
- 志强 Zhiqiang太好了，我们一起分享吧。Tài hǎole, wǒmen yīqǐ fēnxiǎng ba.Great, let's share them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kimchi” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 辛奇, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
