海参
hǎishēn
The English phrase sea cucumber is 海参 (hǎishēn) in Chinese.
海参 refers to the sea cucumber. In Chinese culinary contexts, 海参 is often treated as a high-end delicacy and a functional food believed to have health benefits.
Meaning: sea cucumber (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 海 (hǎi), meaning 'sea' and 参 (shēn), which refers to a type of medicinal herb (ginseng) or a generic term for a supplement/ginseng-like substance.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, sea cucumber is known as 海參. In Taiwanese Hokkien, sea cucumber may be referred to as 海筍 (sea bamboo shoot).
How do you pronounce it?
hǎishēn
Did you know?
- While 海参 refers to the animal, the word 参 is also used in Chinese to mean 'to participate' or 'to join', such as in 参加 for 'joining a club'.
- In Chinese culture, the prized 'gelatinous' texture of 海参 is often described using words that would be considered unappetizing or 'slimy' in English.
- In high-end Chinese banquets, 海参 is often served as part of a 'braised' dish where the goal is to achieve a specific 'gelatinous' texture that is highly prized by connoisseurs.
Examples in context
- 这道菜里有新鲜的海参。This dish contains fresh sea cucumber.
- 我在市场上买了一条长长的海参。I bought a long sea cucumber at the market.
- 我不喜欢吃海参。Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī hǎishēn.I don't like eating sea cucumber.
- 这种海参很新鲜。Zhè zhǒng hǎishēn hěn xīnxiān.This kind of sea cucumber is very fresh.
- 海参含有丰富的营养。Hǎishēn hányǒu fēngfù de yíngyǎng.Sea cucumber is rich in nutrients.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are looking at a seafood menu.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你看这里有海参。Zhìqiáng, nǐ kàn zhèlǐ yǒu hǎishēn.Zhiqiang, look, there is sea cucumber here.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我从来没吃过海参。Wǒ cónglái méi chīguò hǎishēn.I have never eaten sea cucumber before.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们要不要试一次？Wǒmen yào bùyào shì yīcì?Shall we try it once?
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，点一份吧。Hǎo, diǎn yī fèn ba.Okay, let's order one portion.
