甘草
gāncǎo
The English phrase licorice root is translated into Chinese as 甘草 (gāncǎo).
In Chinese medicine, this term refers specifically to the dried root used for its medicinal properties rather than the candy-flavored substance common in the West.
How do you pronounce it?
gāncǎo
Did you know?
- Because of its ability to balance many different ingredients, the name 甘草 is sometimes metaphorically used to describe a person who can mediate between conflicting parties.
- The character 草 in 甘草 means 'grass' or 'herb', reflecting an ancient botanical classification system where many medicinal roots were grouped under the general category of herbs.
- In Chinese medicine, 甘草 is often called the 'harmonizer' because it is added to many different herbal formulas to reduce the toxicity or harshness of other herbs.
Examples in context
- 我需要一些甘草来制备中药。I need some licorice root to prepare traditional Chinese medicine.
- 这种口香糖里含有甘草根的成分。This chewing gum contains licorice root extract as one of its ingredients.
- 这道药膳里放了甘草。Zhè dào yàoshàn lǐ fàngle gāncǎo.This medicinal dish contains licorice root.
- 你可以去买点甘草。Nǐ kěyǐ qù mǎi diǎn gāncǎo.You can go buy some licorice root.
- 甘草的味道很甜。Gāncǎo de wèidào hěn tián.The taste of licorice root is very sweet.
Example conversation
At a traditional Chinese medicine shop.
- 佳怡 Jiayi请问这里有甘草吗？Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ yǒu gāncǎo ma?Excuse me, do you have licorice root here?
- 伟 Wei有的，你要买多少？Yǒu de, nǐ yào mǎi duōshǎo?Yes, how much do you want to buy?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想买一小包甘草。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī xiǎo bāo gāncǎo.I would like to buy a small bag of licorice root.
- 伟 Wei好的，这就为您准备。Hǎo de, zhè jiù wèi nín zhǔnbèi.Alright, I will prepare that for you right away.
