味精
wèijīng
The English phrase "msg" is translated into Chinese as 味精 (wèijīng).
味精 refers to the flavor enhancer known as monosodium glutamate (MSG). In some regions, you may hear the colloquial term 味粉 to refer to this flavor powder.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 味精 is composed of 味 (wèi), meaning 'taste' and 精 (jīng), meaning 'essence' or 'refined substance'.
Which one should you use?
味精 refers specifically to the additive MSG. It is distinct from 鸡精 (jījīng), which is a more complex chicken-flavored seasoning powder. For the formal chemical name of monosodium glutamate, one would use 谷氨酸钠 (gǔ'ānsuān nà).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 味粉 is a colloquial way to say MSG in certain regions.
How do you pronounce it?
wèijīng
Did you know?
- The term 味精 is actually a Japanese invention. It was coined by a Japanese scientist around 1908 and then imported into the Chinese language.
- While 味精 is the general term, some people use 味之素 (wèizhīsù) to refer to MSG, which is the Chinese transcription of the famous Japanese brand name 'Ajinomoto'.
- Unlike the English word 'MSG', which is a chemical abbreviation, the common Chinese term 味精 describes the substance as the 'essence of taste'.
Examples in context
- 老师：这道菜用了味精吗？Teacher: Was MSG used in this dish?
- 朋友一：这个菜有没有放味粉？Friend 1: Was MSG added to this dish?
- 朋友二：放了一点味粉，提味儿了。Friend 2: Yes, a bit of MSG was added to enhance the flavor.
- 这种菜不需要放味精。Zhè zhǒng cài bù xūyào fàng wèijīng.This kind of dish doesn't need MSG.
- 他喜欢在菜里加点味精。Tā xǐhuān zài cài lǐ jiādiǎn wèijīng.He likes to add a little MSG to the food.
- 超市里卖味精吗？Chāoshì lǐ mài wèijīng ma?Does the supermarket sell MSG?
Example conversation
A couple is discussing how to cook a meal at home.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，我们要放味精吗？Wěi, wǒmen yào fàng wèijīng ma?Wei, do we need to add MSG?
- 伟 Wei不用了，味道已经很好了。Bù yòng le, wèidào yǐjīng hěn hǎo le.No need, the flavor is already very good.
- 雨婷 Yuting那我就不放了。Nà wǒ jiù bù fàng le.Then I won't add any.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，你做得真棒。Yǔtíng, nǐ zuò de zhēn bàng.Yuting, you did a great job.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 味精, CC BY-SA 4.0.
