芝士通心粉
zhīshì tōngxīnfěn
Mac and cheese in Chinese is 芝士通心粉 (zhīshì tōngxīnfěn).
The phrase refers to a dish consisting of macaroni pasta mixed with a cheese sauce. One specific brand, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, is translated as 卡夫奶酪通心粉.
Which one should you use?
芝士通心粉 is the primary term used in mainland China. An alternative, 奶酪通心粉, is also widely understood and uses the word 奶酪 for cheese instead of 芝士.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 起司通心粉 is used for mac and cheese.
How do you pronounce it?
zhīshì tōngxīnfěn
Did you know?
- The word 通心粉 literally translates to 'through-heart powder', describing the hollow center of the macaroni pasta.
- While 芝士 is common in Hong Kong and mainland China, speakers in Taiwan prefer 起司, which is a loanword from the Japanese word for 'cheese'.
- The word 奶酪 for cheese originally referred specifically to a type of traditional fermented milk curd or soft cheese in Mongolia and Northern China.
Examples in context
- 我想吃芝士通心粉。Wǒ xiǎng chī zhīshì tōngxīnfěn.I want to eat mac and cheese.
- 这碗芝士通心粉很好吃。Zhè wǎn zhīshì tōngxīnfěn hěn hǎochī.This bowl of mac and cheese is delicious.
- 你喜欢吃芝士通心粉吗？Nǐ xǐhuān chī zhīshì tōngxīnfěn ma?Do you like eating mac and cheese?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to order for lunch.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们要不要点份芝士通心粉？Wǒmen yào bù yào diǎn fèn zhīshì tōngxīnfěn?Should we order some mac and cheese?
- 俊杰 Junjie好啊，我也想吃。Hǎo a, wǒ yě xiǎng chī.Sure, I want to eat it too.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们就点这个吧。Nà wǒmen jiù diǎn zhège ba.Then let's order this.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，梓涵。Méi wèntí, Zǐhán.No problem, Zihan.
