炒鸡蛋
chǎo jīdàn
The English phrase "scrambled eggs" is translated into Chinese as 炒鸡蛋 (chǎo jīdàn).
炒鸡蛋 is a general term for eggs that are beaten and cooked in a pan, usually with butter or oil.
What does it mean word for word?
The first character, 炒, means to stir-fry or fry in a pan.
Which one should you use?
While 炒鸡蛋 is a general term for fried eggs, 西式炒蛋 is often used to specify the soft, creamy Western-style scrambled eggs.
How do you pronounce it?
chǎo jīdàn
Did you know?
- The character 炒, meaning to stir-fry, is also used metaphorically in Chinese to describe 'speculating' or 'trading' on stocks or commodities to make a quick profit.
- In Chinese culture, eggs are often associated with fertility and rebirth. Serving 炒鸡蛋 at a celebration can symbolize a wish for a prosperous and growing family.
- In some traditional Chinese breakfast sets, 炒鸡蛋 is paired with 油条 (deep-fried dough sticks) to be dipped into the eggs, rather than served with toast.
Examples in context
- 我今天早上做了炒鸡蛋。I made scrambled eggs this morning.
- 我会做一道很好吃的攪拌蛋。I can make a delicious plate of scrambled eggs.
- 我早餐吃了炒鸡蛋。Wǒ zǎocān chīle chǎojīdàn.I ate scrambled eggs for breakfast.
- 你想吃炒鸡蛋吗？Nǐ xiǎng chī chǎojīdàn ma?Do you want to eat scrambled eggs?
- 妈妈做的炒鸡蛋很好吃。Māma zuò de chǎojīdàn hěn hǎochī.The scrambled eggs Mom makes are delicious.
Example conversation
At home in the morning, Junjie is preparing breakfast.
- 俊杰 Junjie雨婷，你要吃炒鸡蛋吗？Yǔtíng, nǐ yào chī chǎojīdàn ma?Yuting, do you want to eat scrambled eggs?
- 雨婷 Yuting好啊，谢谢你，俊杰。Hǎo a, xièxiè nǐ, Jùnjié.Yes, thank you, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie我马上就能做好。Wǒ mǎshàng jiù néng zuò hǎo.I can have them ready in a moment.
- 雨婷 Yuting太棒了，我饿了。Tài bàng le, wǒ è le.Great, I am hungry.
