蒸饺
zhēngjiǎo
The English phrase "steamed dumplings" is translated into Chinese as 蒸饺 (zhēngjiǎo).
蒸饺 refers specifically to dumplings that are cooked using steam rather than being boiled or fried.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the verb 蒸 (zhēng), meaning 'to steam' and the noun 饺 (jiǎo), which is a shortened form of 饺子 (jiǎozi), meaning 'dumpling'.
Which one should you use?
蒸饺 is used to distinguish steamed dumplings from other preparation methods. Use 水饺 (shuǐjiǎo) when referring to the more general category of dumplings that are boiled in water, and use 煎饺 (jiānjiǎo) to refer to pan-fried dumplings.
How do you pronounce it?
zhēngjiǎo
Did you know?
- During the Lunar New Year, making dumplings like 蒸饺 is a communal family activity. It is considered lucky to find a coin hidden inside one of the dumplings, promising wealth for the coming year.
- When ordering 蒸饺 (zhēngjiǎo), the shape of the dumpling is often seen as a symbol of wealth, as the pleats are meant to resemble ancient gold ingots.
- While 'steamed dumplings' is the literal translation, many people in China use the term 点心 (diǎnxīn) to refer to various small steamed snacks, which is the origin of the English word 'dim sum'.
Examples in context
- 我想吃热腾腾的蒸饺。Wǒ xiǎng chī rèténgténg de zhēngjiǎo.I want to eat hot steamed dumplings.
- 这些蒸饺的味道很鲜美。Zhèxiē zhēngjiǎo de wèidào hěn xiānměi.These steamed dumplings taste delicious.
- 妈妈今天做了蔬菜蒸饺。Māma jīntiān zuòle shūcài zhēngjiǎo.Mom made vegetable steamed dumplings today.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to order for lunch at a dim sum restaurant.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你想吃点什么？Xiǎowén, nǐ xiǎng chī diǎn shénme?Xiaowen, what would you like to eat?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想要一份猪肉蒸饺。Wǒ xiǎng yào yí fèn zhūròu zhēngjiǎo.I would like an order of pork steamed dumplings.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，那我也点一份蒸饺。Hǎo de, nà wǒ yě diǎn yí fèn zhēngjiǎo.Okay, then I will also order steamed dumplings.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太好了，我们快点点菜吧。Tài hǎo le, wǒmen kuài diǎn cài ba.Great, let's order quickly.
