檸檬雞 / 柠檬鸡
níngméngjī
The English phrase "lemon chicken" is translated into Chinese as 檸檬雞 / 柠檬鸡 (níngméngjī). If unsure, use 檸檬雞 / 柠檬鸡. Wiktionary also lists 西檸雞 / 西柠鸡 (xīníngjī).
Meaning: a Chinese-style dish of fried (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 檸檬雞 / 柠檬鸡 | níngméngjī |
| 西檸雞 / 西柠鸡 | xīníngjī |
This term refers to a Chinese-style dish of fried (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 檸檬 (níngméng), meaning "lemon" and 雞 (jī), meaning "chicken".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is níngméngjī.
Did you know?
- The word for lemon 檸檬 (níngméng) is a loanword based on the sound of the Portuguese word 'limão'. This reflects the historical influence of Portuguese traders in Macau and Canton.
- While 'lemon chicken' is a staple of Chinese takeout in the West, it is actually a 'fusion' dish created in the Cantonese diaspora and is less common in mainland China.
- In some Chinese menus, the word 檸檬 (níngméng) describes the sauce's flavor profile rather than the presence of actual lemon fruit, as citric acid or synthetic flavorings are frequently used.
Examples in context
- 我想要一份柠檬鸡。I would like an order of lemon chicken.
- 我喜欢吃柠檬味鸡肉，味道特别鲜美！I love eating lemon chicken, the flavor is incredibly delicious!
- 今天晚上准备做柠檬鸡肉，你们要来吃吗？I'm planning to make some lemon chicken tonight, would you like to come over and eat?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lemon chicken” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
