When you're talking about preparing food, you can use the verb 做菜 (zuòcài). This literally means 'to make dishes'.
It's a common and practical word for everyday situations. You'll hear it often when people discuss cooking meals at home or in a restaurant setting. It specifically refers to the act of cooking, rather than just eating.
When you want to talk about the action of cooking or preparing a meal, the Chinese verb to use is 做菜 (zuò cài). This phrase literally means "to make dishes." It's a very common and practical verb to know if you're learning Chinese, as food and cooking are such an integral part of Chinese culture. You can use it in many contexts, whether you're talking about cooking dinner at home, or if someone cooks for a living.
When you're talking about cooking a meal, 做菜 (zuò cài) is your go-to verb. It specifically means to cook or prepare dishes, focusing on the act of making a meal.
You'll hear it often in everyday conversation, like when someone asks, "Who's cooking tonight?" or "I'm going to cook some dishes."
It's different from just "cooking" in a general sense, as 做饭 (zuò fàn), which refers to preparing a meal in general. 做菜 really emphasizes the preparation of specific dishes.
So, if you're making a stir-fry, a soup, or any individual dish, 做菜 is the most accurate term to use.
When talking about cooking in Chinese, an everyday verb you'll hear and use is 做菜 (zuò cài). It literally translates to "make dishes" or "do dishes." This verb specifically refers to the act of preparing and cooking a meal or individual dishes.
It's a very common and practical term. For example, if you want to say "I like cooking," you would say "我喜欢做菜 (wǒ xǐhuān zuò cài)." If someone asks "Are you cooking tonight?" they might say "你今晚做菜吗? (nǐ jīn wǎn zuò cài ma?)"
While there are other terms related to cooking, 做菜 focuses on the actual preparation of the food itself. It implies the whole process from gathering ingredients to the final dish being ready to eat.
§ Basic Usage of 做菜
The Chinese phrase '做菜' (zuò cài) literally translates to 'to make dishes' or 'to cook food.' It's a common verb phrase for talking about cooking. You'll hear it all the time.
- Structure
- Subject + 做菜
我喜欢做菜。(Wǒ xǐhuān zuò cài.)
Translation hint: I like to cook.
他每天都做菜。(Tā měitiān dōu zuò cài.)
Translation hint: He cooks every day.
§ Specifying Who Cooks for Whom
You can easily say who is cooking for someone else using '给' (gěi), which acts like 'for' in this context.
- Structure
- Subject + 给 (gěi) + Person + 做菜
我妈妈经常做菜给我吃。(Wǒ māma jīngcháng zuò cài gěi wǒ chī.)
Translation hint: My mom often cooks for me to eat.
你想做菜给谁吃？(Nǐ xiǎng zuò cài gěi shéi chī?)
Translation hint: Who do you want to cook for?
§ Describing How Well Someone Cooks
You can add adverbs or descriptive phrases after '做菜' to explain how well someone cooks. This uses the 'verb + 得 (de) + adjective' structure.
- Structure
- Subject + 做菜 + 做得 (zuò de) + Adjective
她做菜做得很好吃。(Tā zuò cài zuò de hěn hǎochī.)
Translation hint: She cooks very deliciously.
你做菜做得怎么样？(Nǐ zuò cài zuò de zěnmeyàng?)
Translation hint: How well do you cook?
§ Asking About Cooking Habits
When you want to ask if someone cooks or if they like cooking, you can use these common questions:
你喜欢做菜吗？(Nǐ xǐhuān zuò cài ma?) - Do you like cooking?
你会做菜吗？(Nǐ huì zuò cài ma?) - Can you cook? (Do you know how to cook?)
你经常做菜吗？(Nǐ jīngcháng zuò cài ma?) - Do you often cook?
These are direct and useful questions for everyday conversation. Try using them!
- Summary
- '做菜' is a straightforward and essential phrase for discussing cooking in Chinese. Remember to use '给' when cooking for someone, and '做得' to describe the quality of the cooking. Practice these structures, and you'll be talking about food like a pro in no time.
Alright, let's talk about where you'll actually run into 做菜 (zuò cài) – 'to cook dishes' or 'to prepare food' – in everyday Chinese conversations. This isn't just a textbook word; it's everywhere!
§ At Home and with Friends
Naturally, a lot of 做菜 happens at home. You'll hear people talking about who cooks, what they're cooking, or asking others to cook. It's a fundamental part of daily life and social interaction.
你今天晚上做菜吗？
- Translation hint
- Are you cooking tonight?
我不太会做菜。
- Translation hint
- I'm not very good at cooking.
§ In a Work Context
If you work in a restaurant, a food-related business, or even just discuss team lunches, 做菜 will come up. It's not just about home cooking.
- Restaurant staff will definitely use it:
大厨今天做菜特别好吃。
- Translation hint
- The head chef's cooking is especially delicious today.
- In an office setting, discussing food options for an event:
我们应该请人来做菜吗？
- Translation hint
- Should we invite someone to cook?
§ In Media: News and Shows
Food is a huge part of Chinese culture, so it's no surprise that you'll hear 做菜 frequently in news reports, documentaries, and cooking shows.
- Talking about traditional cooking methods:
这位老人一辈子都在做菜。
- Translation hint
- This old person has been cooking their whole life.
- Describing a chef or a cooking competition:
他在电视节目上做菜。
- Translation hint
- He cooks on TV shows.
§ In Educational Settings (or about them)
Even at school, you might hear about 做菜, especially if discussing home economics classes, vocational training, or school events where food is prepared.
我们学校有做菜课。
- Translation hint
- Our school has cooking classes.
学生们学着自己做菜。
- Translation hint
- Students learn to cook by themselves.
As you can see, 做菜 is a very versatile and common term. The key is to listen for the context and understand who is doing the cooking and what the general situation is. It's not complicated, just widely applicable!
Wusstest du?
In Chinese culture, cooking is often seen as an expression of love and care, especially when preparing food for family and friends. There's a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and balancing flavors.
Aussprachehilfe
- A common error is pronouncing '菜' (cài) with a rising tone instead of a falling-rising tone. It should be pronounced with a clear fall and then a slight rise at the end, not a continuous rise.
- Another common error is not differentiating between the 'z' in '做' (zuò) which is an alveolar affricate, and the 'zh' sound. It should be a crisp 'dz' sound similar to the 'ds' in 'beds'.
Wichtige Grammatik
做 (zuò) as a verb means 'to do,' 'to make,' or 'to engage in.' When combined with 菜 (cài), meaning 'dishes' or 'food,' it forms 做菜 (zuòcài), specifically meaning 'to cook dishes' or 'to prepare food.' It emphasizes the act of creating or preparing the food.
我喜欢做菜。(Wǒ xǐhuan zuòcài.) - I like to cook.
做菜 (zuòcài) can be used with adverbs of frequency to describe how often someone cooks.
他经常做菜。(Tā jīngcháng zuòcài.) - He often cooks.
做菜 (zuòcài) can be followed by an object to specify what is being cooked, but it's more common to use it as a general verb for cooking. If you want to specify a dish, you might use 煮 (zhǔ) or 炒 (chǎo) with the specific food item.
她会做很多中国菜。(Tā huì zuò hěn duō Zhōngguócài.) - She can cook many Chinese dishes.
To express who someone cooks for, you can use 为 (wèi) or 给 (gěi) followed by the person or people.
我为家人做菜。(Wǒ wèi jiārén zuòcài.) - I cook for my family.
做菜 (zuòcài) is a common verb in daily conversation and can be used in various tenses, similar to other verbs. For instance, to indicate an ongoing action, you can add 正在 (zhèngzài) before it.
妈妈正在做菜。(Māmā zhèngzài zuòcài.) - Mom is cooking.
Beispiele nach Niveau
妈妈喜欢在家做菜。
Mom likes to cook at home.
在家 (at home) indicates location.
他今天晚上想做菜。
He wants to cook tonight.
今天晚上 (tonight) indicates time.
我不会做菜，只会煮面。
I can't cook, I can only boil noodles.
不会 (cannot) indicates inability.
我们一起做菜吧！
Let's cook together!
一起 (together) indicates companionship.
做菜很有趣。
Cooking is very interesting.
很有趣 (very interesting) describes a quality.
她常常做菜给家人吃。
She often cooks for her family to eat.
给 (for) indicates benefit or recipient.
你喜欢做菜吗？
Do you like to cook?
吗 (ma) indicates a question.
他做菜很快。
He cooks very fast.
很快 (very fast) describes speed.
我喜欢在家做菜。
I like cooking at home.
在家 (at home) is a common adverbial phrase.
他做菜做得很好吃。
He cooks very delicious food.
做得 (de) indicates the result or manner of an action.
你会做菜吗？
Can you cook?
会 (huì) expresses ability.
我的妈妈很会做菜。
My mom is very good at cooking.
很会 (hěn huì) emphasizes a strong ability.
我们一起做菜吧。
Let's cook together.
吧 (ba) is a particle suggesting a proposal or suggestion.
她不喜欢做菜。
She doesn't like cooking.
不喜欢 (bù xǐhuān) means 'dislike' or 'don't like'.
今天晚上我想做菜。
Tonight I want to cook.
想 (xiǎng) expresses a desire or intention.
做菜需要很多时间。
Cooking takes a lot of time.
需要 (xūyào) means 'to need' or 'to require'.
我妈妈很喜欢做菜，她做的饭总是很好吃。
My mother loves cooking; her meals are always delicious.
很 (hěn) is an adverb indicating 'very' or 'much'. 总是 (zǒngshì) means 'always'.
你今晚想吃什么？我可以为你做菜。
What do you want to eat tonight? I can cook for you.
为 (wèi) means 'for' or 'on behalf of'.
他刚开始学做菜，所以需要一些简单的食谱。
He just started learning to cook, so he needs some simple recipes.
刚开始 (gāng kāishǐ) means 'just started'. 所以 (suǒyǐ) means 'so' or 'therefore'.
做菜对我来说是一种放松的方式。
For me, cooking is a way to relax.
对...来说 (duì...láishuō) means 'for (someone)' or 'as far as (someone) is concerned'. 一种 (yī zhǒng) means 'a type of' or 'a kind of'.
我们今天晚上一起做菜好不好？
How about we cook together tonight?
一起 (yīqǐ) means 'together'. 好不好 (hǎo bu hǎo) is a common way to ask 'how about it?' or 'is it good or not?'.
虽然工作很忙，她还是坚持每天做菜。
Although work is busy, she still insists on cooking every day.
虽然 (suīrán) means 'although'. 还是 (háishì) means 'still' or 'nevertheless'. 坚持 (jiānchí) means 'insist' or 'persist'.
你觉得做菜最重要的是什么？
What do you think is the most important thing about cooking?
觉得 (juéde) means 'feel' or 'think'. 最 (zuì) is an adverb indicating 'most'. 重要的是 (zhòngyào de shì) means 'the important thing is'.
他不仅会做菜，还会烘焙。
Not only can he cook, but he can also bake.
不仅...还会 (bùjǐn...hái huì) means 'not only...but also'.
他很喜欢做菜，常常在周末为家人准备大餐。
He really likes cooking; he often prepares big meals for his family on weekends.
我妈妈做菜很好吃，尤其是她的红烧肉。
My mom cooks very well, especially her braised pork.
学会做菜是一项很实用的生活技能。
Learning to cook is a very practical life skill.
今天晚上我们一起做菜吧，我想尝尝你的手艺。
Let's cook together tonight; I want to try your cooking.
做菜的时候要注意安全，小心不要烫伤。
When cooking, pay attention to safety, be careful not to get burned.
她最近在学做菜，希望以后能自己做饭。
She's been learning to cook recently, hoping to cook for herself in the future.
我不太会做菜，所以经常点外卖。
I'm not very good at cooking, so I often order takeout.
做菜需要耐心和一点点创意。
Cooking requires patience and a little creativity.
她做菜的手艺真是没话说，每次都能做出令人垂涎欲滴的佳肴。
Her cooking skills are truly exceptional; every time, she can create mouth-watering delicacies.
对于我这个做菜小白来说，跟着食谱一步步来是最好的选择。
For a cooking novice like me, following the recipe step by step is the best choice.
他做菜讲究色香味俱全，所以每一道菜都像艺术品一样。
He emphasizes color, aroma, and taste in his cooking, so every dish is like a work of art.
虽然工作再忙，她也坚持每天回家给家人做菜。
Even if work is busy, she insists on going home every day to cook for her family.
做菜不仅是满足口腹之欲，更是一种生活情趣和表达爱的方式。
Cooking is not only about satisfying one's appetite but also a zest for life and a way to express love.
他尝试用各种不同的食材做菜，总能给人带来惊喜。
He tries cooking with various ingredients and always manages to surprise people.
为了给女朋友一个浪漫的生日，他决定亲自做菜。
To give his girlfriend a romantic birthday, he decided to cook himself.
我觉得做菜最重要的是用心，即使是简单的家常菜也能做得很好吃。
I think the most important thing in cooking is putting your heart into it; even simple home-cooked dishes can be delicious.
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
Subj. + 喜欢 (xǐhuān) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
他喜欢做菜。(Tā xǐhuān zuòcài.) - He likes to cook.
Subj. + 会 (huì) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
她会做菜。(Tā huì zuòcài.) - She can cook.
Subj. + 在 (zài) + Location + 做菜 (zuòcài)
妈妈在厨房做菜。(Māmā zài chúfáng zuòcài.) - Mom is cooking in the kitchen.
Subj. + 正在 (zhèngzài) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
我正在做菜。(Wǒ zhèngzài zuòcài.) - I am cooking right now.
Subj. + 想 (xiǎng) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
我想做菜。(Wǒ xiǎng zuòcài.) - I want to cook.
Subj. + 可以 (kěyǐ) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
你可以做菜吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ zuòcài ma?) - Can you cook?
Subj. + 每天 (měitiān) / 经常 (jīngcháng) + 做菜 (zuòcài)
他每天做菜。(Tā měitiān zuòcài.) - He cooks every day.
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Person + 做菜 (zuòcài)
她给我做菜。(Tā gěi wǒ zuòcài.) - She cooks for me.
So verwendest du es
Usage Notes: 做菜 (zuò cài)
做菜 (zuò cài) literally translates to "make dishes" and is a common and versatile verb for cooking in Chinese. It refers to the general act of preparing food, especially when you are making a meal with multiple dishes.
- It's often used when talking about cooking a meal at home. For example, you might say "我喜欢在家做菜" (Wǒ xǐhuān zài jiā zuò cài) – "I like cooking at home."
- You can also use it to describe someone's cooking ability. For instance, "她很会做菜" (Tā hěn huì zuò cài) – "She's good at cooking."
- It can be used for preparing specific types of dishes, even if it's just one. For example, "我今天晚上做菜给你吃" (Wǒ jīn tiān wǎnshang zuò cài gěi nǐ chī) – "I'll cook for you tonight."
Examples:
- 你喜欢做菜吗？ (Nǐ xǐhuān zuò cài ma?)
Do you like to cook? - 我妈妈每天都做菜。 (Wǒ māma měitiān dōu zuò cài.)
My mom cooks every day. - 他正在厨房做菜。 (Tā zhèngzài chúfáng zuò cài.)
He is cooking in the kitchen.
Common Mistakes: 做菜 (zuò cài)
Here are some common mistakes English speakers make when using 做菜 (zuò cài) and how to avoid them:
- Confusing it with specific cooking methods: 做菜 (zuò cài) is a general term. If you want to talk about specific cooking methods like frying, steaming, or boiling, you'll need different verbs.
- Incorrect: 我做菜鸡蛋。 (Wǒ zuò cài jīdàn.) – I cook eggs. (Sounds unnatural as if you're making a dish out of eggs.)
- Correct: 我煎鸡蛋。 (Wǒ jiān jīdàn.) – I fry eggs.
- Correct: 我在煮面条。 (Wǒ zài zhǔ miàntiáo.) – I'm boiling noodles.
- Using it for preparing non-food items: Remember, 做菜 (zuò cài) is specifically for preparing food dishes.
- Incorrect: 我做菜咖啡。 (Wǒ zuò cài kāfēi.) – I cook coffee.
- Correct: 我煮咖啡。 (Wǒ zhǔ kāfēi.) – I make/brew coffee.
- Overusing it when simpler verbs are better: While versatile, sometimes a more direct verb is more appropriate for very simple food preparation.
- Less natural: 我做菜一个三明治。 (Wǒ zuò cài yī ge sānmíngzhì.) – I cook a sandwich.
- More natural: 我做一个三明治。 (Wǒ zuò yī ge sānmíngzhì.) – I make a sandwich. (Here, 做 is enough for 'make'.)
Tipps
Basic Meaning of 做菜
做菜 (zuò cài) literally means 'to make dishes'. 做 (zuò) means 'to do' or 'to make', and 菜 (cài) means 'dish' or 'vegetable'.
Usage with Food Items
You can use 做菜 generally, or specify what you are cooking. For example, 做中国菜 (zuò zhōngguó cài) means 'to cook Chinese food', or 做意大利面 (zuò yìdàlì miàn) means 'to make pasta'.
做饭 vs. 做菜
做饭 (zuò fàn) and 做菜 are often interchangeable. 做饭 is a bit more general, meaning 'to cook a meal', while 做菜 focuses on the dishes themselves. Think of 做饭 as the whole process of meal preparation, and 做菜 as making the individual components.
Common Questions with 做菜
A common question is 你会做菜吗？ (Nǐ huì zuò cài ma?) which means 'Can you cook?' or 'Do you know how to cook?'
Responding to 做菜 Questions
You can reply 我会做菜 (Wǒ huì zuò cài) for 'I can cook' or 我不会做菜 (Wǒ bú huì zuò cài) for 'I can't cook'.
做菜 with Time Expressions
You can combine 做菜 with time. For instance, 每天做菜 (měitiān zuò cài) means 'to cook every day' or 晚上做菜 (wǎnshang zuò cài) means 'to cook in the evening'.
Asking 'What are you cooking?'
To ask what someone is cooking, you can say 你在做菜吗？ (Nǐ zài zuò cài ma?) 'Are you cooking?' or 你在做什么菜？ (Nǐ zài zuò shénme cài?) 'What dishes are you making?'
做菜 for Professional Cooking
做菜 can also refer to professional cooking. For example, 他是一名厨师，他很会做菜。(Tā shì yī míng chúshī, tā hěn huì zuò cài.) 'He is a chef, he is very good at cooking.'
Adjectives with 做菜
You can describe your cooking ability. For example, 她做菜很好吃 (Tā zuò cài hěn hǎo chī) means 'She cooks delicious food' or 我做菜做得不好 (Wǒ zuò cài zuò dé bù hǎo) means 'I don't cook well'.
Cooking as a Social Activity
In Chinese culture, cooking and sharing food (做菜) is a very important social activity, often associated with family gatherings and hospitality. It's more than just preparing a meal; it's a way to show care and build relationships.
Wortherkunft
The character '做' (zuò) means 'to do' or 'to make', and '菜' (cài) refers to 'vegetables' or 'dishes'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The combination literally means 'to make dishes'.
Sino-TibetanKultureller Kontext
Cooking plays a central role in Chinese social life and family gatherings. It's common for families to cook elaborate meals together for holidays and celebrations. Sharing food is a fundamental aspect of hospitality and building relationships in China.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Talking about daily routines and chores.
- 我每天晚上都做菜。
- 你喜欢做菜吗？
- 做菜需要时间。
Discussing cooking skills or preferences.
- 他做菜很好吃。
- 我不太会做菜。
- 你最喜欢做哪种菜？
Planning a meal or asking about food preparation.
- 我们今晚吃什么？你做菜吗？
- 做菜需要哪些食材？
- 她正在厨房里做菜。
Complimenting someone's cooking.
- 你做的菜真好吃！
- 谢谢你的菜，我很喜欢。
- 你的做菜手艺真棒。
Talking about learning to cook.
- 我正在学做菜。
- 你觉得做菜难吗？
- 通过看视频我学会了做菜。
Gesprächseinstiege
"你喜欢做菜吗？你经常做菜吗？"
"你觉得做菜难不难？你有什么做菜的技巧吗？"
"你最喜欢做哪道菜？为什么？"
"你通常在哪里学做菜？"
"如果朋友来家里，你会为他们做菜吗？"
Tagebuch-Impulse
描述你最近一次做菜的经历。你做了什么菜？味道如何？
如果你可以学会做任何一道菜，你会选择哪一道？为什么？
做菜对你来说意味着什么？是一种乐趣还是一种负担？
分享一个你学做菜时遇到的有趣或难忘的故事。
你觉得做菜和生活有什么相似之处？
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen做菜 (zuò cài) specifically means 'to cook dishes' or 'to prepare a meal,' focusing on the act of making various dishes. 煮饭 (zhǔ fàn) is more specific, meaning 'to cook rice' or, more broadly, 'to prepare a meal' where rice is a central component. You can think of 做菜 as making the entire spread, while 煮饭 is often about getting the main carb ready. So, someone might 说 '我喜欢做菜' (Wǒ xǐhuān zuò cài - I like to cook) to talk about their general cooking hobby, and part of that could involve 煮饭.
Yes, for the most part, you can. 做饭 (zuò fàn) is a very common and slightly broader term that also means 'to cook' or 'to prepare a meal.' In everyday conversation, people often use 做饭 and 做菜 interchangeably. However, 做菜 specifically emphasizes the 'dishes' aspect, while 做饭 can sometimes imply a more general meal preparation, including things like boiling noodles or making a simple soup without multiple elaborate dishes. If you want to be precise about cooking multiple dishes, 做菜 is a great choice.
做菜 can be used for both complex and simple meals. It just refers to the act of preparing food. Whether you're making a multi-course banquet or just frying an egg, you are doing 做菜. For example, 你今天晚上想吃什么？我来做菜。 (Nǐ jīntiān wǎnshàng xiǎng chī shénme? Wǒ lái zuò cài. - What do you want to eat tonight? I'll cook.) This could be for anything from a quick stir-fry to a more elaborate dinner.
When you're cooking for someone else, you can use 做菜 directly. For example: '我给他做菜。' (Wǒ gěi tā zuò cài. - I cook for him.) Or '你为谁做菜？' (Nǐ wèi shéi zuò cài? - Who do you cook for?) The structure is pretty straightforward: subject + 给/为 + person + 做菜.
To say 'I know how to cook' or 'I can cook,' you'd typically use '会' (huì) before 做菜. So it would be '我会做菜。' (Wǒ huì zuò cài.) This indicates skill or ability. If you want to say you enjoy it, you can say '我喜欢做菜。' (Wǒ xǐhuān zuò cài.)
做菜 generally refers to preparing cooked dishes, which often involves stove-top cooking, stir-frying, steaming, etc. While you could broadly say baking is a form of 'cooking,' for specific baking activities like making cakes or bread, Chinese typically uses more specific verbs like '烤' (kǎo - to bake/roast) or '做蛋糕' (zuò dàn gāo - to make cake). So, while 做菜 isn't strictly incorrect for baking, it's not the most natural or specific term for it. Use 烤 if you're baking.
While not a very common idiom, you might hear phrases that describe someone's cooking skill. For example, '他做菜很好吃。' (Tā zuò cài hěn hǎo chī. - His cooking is very delicious.) or '她做的菜色香味俱全。' (Tā zuò de cài sè xiāng wèi jù quán. - The dishes she cooks have perfect color, aroma, and taste – a classic compliment for good cooking). There isn't one single widely used idiom focused solely on the act of '做菜' itself, but rather on the outcome or quality.
If you want to refer to 'cooking' as an activity or hobby, you can still use 做菜. For example, '做菜是我的爱好。' (Zuò cài shì wǒ de ài hào. - Cooking is my hobby.) The verb form itself can often function as the general activity. You might also hear '烹饪' (pēng rèn), which is a more formal term for 'cooking' or 'cuisine,' often seen in culinary contexts or on cooking shows. But for everyday talk, just '做菜' works perfectly.
Yes, you can use 做菜 when talking about cooking in a professional setting like a restaurant. For instance, '他在饭店做菜。' (Tā zài fàn diàn zuò cài. - He cooks at a restaurant.) Or '这个厨师做菜很棒。' (Zhège chúshī zuò cài hěn bàng. - This chef cooks very well.) It applies to both home cooking and professional cooking.
准备饭菜 (zhǔnbèi fàn cài) means 'to prepare a meal' and 准备食物 (zhǔnbèi shíwù) means 'to prepare food.' Both are broader than 做菜. 做菜 specifically refers to the act of cooking and making the dishes. 准备饭菜 or 准备食物 could include things like washing vegetables, setting the table, or getting ingredients ready, which are part of meal preparation but not necessarily the actual cooking. So, 做菜 is a component of 准备饭菜/食物.
Teste dich selbst 84 Fragen
我喜欢___。
The sentence means 'I like to cook.' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
你会___吗？
The sentence means 'Can you cook?' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
她每天都___。
The sentence means 'She cooks every day.' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
我妈妈很会___。
The sentence means 'My mom is very good at cooking.' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
今天晚上我们一起___吧。
The sentence means 'Let's cook together tonight.' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
他不喜欢___，所以常常在外面吃饭。
The sentence means 'He doesn't like to cook, so he often eats out.' '做菜' (zuò cài) means 'to cook dishes'.
Listen for 'I like to cook.'
Listen for 'He cooks tonight.'
Listen for 'Mom is cooking in the kitchen.'
Read this aloud:
你会做菜吗？
Focus: huì zuò cài
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我不会做菜。
Focus: bù huì zuò cài
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我们一起做菜吧！
Focus: yī qǐ zuò cài
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Mom likes to cook.' In Chinese, the typical word order is Subject-Verb-Object.
This sentence means 'He is cooking in the kitchen.' The phrase indicating location usually comes before the verb in Chinese.
This sentence means 'Can you cook?' The question particle '吗' is placed at the end of the sentence.
This sentence describes 'Mom is cooking in the kitchen.' The order should be subject + '在' (indicating location) + location + verb + object.
This sentence means 'He likes to cook for friends on weekends.' The structure is subject + verb (like) + time + '给' (for someone) + person + verb (cook) + object (dishes).
This is a question: 'Can you cook Chinese food?' The order is subject + auxiliary verb (can) + verb (cook) + object (Chinese food) + question particle '吗'.
她很喜欢在家___，尤其是周末。
这句话表示她喜欢在家烹饪，特别是周末。
为了给家人一个惊喜，他正在厨房里偷偷地___。
为了准备惊喜，他在厨房里应该是正在烹饪。
虽然她不擅长___，但她很乐意为朋友尝试。
这句话表示她不擅长烹饪，但愿意尝试。
他计划今晚___，请一些朋友过来品尝他的新菜。
请朋友品尝新菜，说明他今晚会烹饪。
学习___不仅能满足口腹之欲，还能体验不同的文化。
学习烹饪可以品尝美食，体验文化。
她喜欢在疲惫的时候___，这让她感到放松和满足。
在疲惫时，烹饪可以带来放松和满足感。
她喜欢在周末为家人___。
Contextually, '为家人做菜' (to cook for the family) is the most fitting activity among the choices provided, aligning with her enjoyment of it on weekends.
学___需要耐心和练习。
The sentence implies a skill that requires patience and practice. While all options fit this generally, '学做菜' (learning to cook) is a common phrase that perfectly fits the structure and meaning.
他___的手艺很好，朋友们都很喜欢他做的饭。
The latter part of the sentence '朋友们都很喜欢他做的饭' (his friends all like the food he makes) directly indicates that his skill in '做菜' (cooking) is excellent.
一个人不会做菜就不能享受美食。
Even if someone cannot cook, they can still enjoy delicious food by eating out or having others cook for them.
做菜只是一种生活技能，不可能是爱好。
Many people enjoy cooking as a hobby and find it a relaxing and creative activity.
学习做菜可以帮助你更好地理解不同文化。
Cuisine is often a reflection of culture, so learning to cook dishes from different regions can indeed offer insights into their cultural practices and traditions.
你的朋友想让你教他做一道中国菜。给他写一封邮件，告诉他你会教他做什么菜，以及你需要他准备哪些食材。你的邮件应该至少包含40个汉字。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的李华， 很高兴你对学做中国菜感兴趣！我决定教你做宫保鸡丁。这道菜非常美味，而且不太难。请你准备鸡肉、花生、干辣椒、花椒和一些蔬菜。到时候见！ 爱你的小明
描述一次你做菜失败的经历。你做了什么菜？为什么失败了？你从中学到了什么？你的描述应该至少包含50个汉字。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
有一次我尝试做麻婆豆腐，结果放了太多辣椒，辣得根本吃不了。而且豆腐也碎了，卖相很差。从那以后我学到做菜要严格按照食谱来，不能凭感觉，尤其是调料的用量。
你认为做菜是一种艺术还是一种技能？请解释你的观点，并举例说明。你的回答应该至少包含60个汉字。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我认为做菜既是一种艺术也是一种技能。作为技能，它需要掌握切菜、火候等基本功。而作为艺术，优秀的厨师能够创造出独特口味和精美摆盘的菜肴，就像艺术家创作画作一样。例如，高级餐厅的分子料理就是艺术与技能的完美结合。
根据这段话，王阿姨做菜的主要目的是什么？
Read this passage:
王阿姨最喜欢做菜了，她每天都会变着花样给家人做饭。她做的菜不仅味道好，而且营养均衡。邻居们都夸她是“美食家”。她觉得做菜是一种享受，也是对家人表达爱的方式。
根据这段话，王阿姨做菜的主要目的是什么？
文章中明确提到“她觉得做菜是一种享受，也是对家人表达爱的方式”。
文章中明确提到“她觉得做菜是一种享受，也是对家人表达爱的方式”。
从小李做菜的经历来看，他目前处于什么阶段？
Read this passage:
小李最近迷上了做菜。他每天下班后都会在厨房里忙碌。虽然有时会把菜烧焦，但他乐此不疲。他说，做菜让他感到放松，也很有成就感。他梦想有一天能开一家自己的餐厅。
从小李做菜的经历来看，他目前处于什么阶段？
文章提到他“迷上了做菜”、“有时会把菜烧焦”，这都表明他处于学习和探索阶段。
文章提到他“迷上了做菜”、“有时会把菜烧焦”，这都表明他处于学习和探索阶段。
这段话主要想表达什么观点？
Read this passage:
很多年轻人觉得做菜太麻烦，更喜欢点外卖。但是，自己做菜不仅更健康，也更能体验到生活的乐趣。此外，和家人朋友一起做菜，还能增进感情。
这段话主要想表达什么观点？
文章列举了自己做菜的健康、乐趣和增进感情等好处，旨在鼓励人们自己做菜。
文章列举了自己做菜的健康、乐趣和增进感情等好处，旨在鼓励人们自己做菜。
This sentence structure follows Subject + Prepositional Phrase (indicating location) + Verb.
The typical structure is Subject + Verb + Time + Location + Action.
The '为了' (for the sake of) clause often comes at the beginning, followed by the main subject and verb phrase.
她不仅擅长写作，还很会___，每次家庭聚餐都由她掌勺。
根据句意，后面提到“每次家庭聚餐都由她掌勺”，说明她擅长烹饪，因此选择“做菜”最符合语境。
为了给生日派对增添气氛，我们决定自己动手___，而不是订外卖。
句中提到“而不是订外卖”，表明是关于食物的准备，因此“做菜”是正确的选择。
他虽然工作很忙，但每周都会抽出时间给家人___，享受天伦之乐。
结合“给家人___”和“享受天伦之乐”，自己动手“做菜”更能体现对家庭的关爱。
学习___不仅可以满足口腹之欲，还能体验不同文化的魅力。
“满足口腹之欲”和“体验不同文化的魅力”都与烹饪相关，所以选择“做菜”。
这位名厨毕生致力于___，将传统菜肴与现代烹饪技艺完美结合。
作为“名厨”，其主要工作是“做菜”，并将“传统菜肴与现代烹饪技艺完美结合”。
她从小就对烹饪充满热情，立志长大后成为一名出色的___师。
此题考察的是相关词汇，结合语境“对烹饪充满热情”，成为“厨师”是最合理的。
Listen for what he emphasizes when cooking.
What does her mother like to add when cooking?
What is cooking considered to be, beyond just eating?
Read this aloud:
请问您觉得做菜中最重要的是什么？
Focus: 请问 (qǐngwèn) 您 (nín) 觉得 (juéde) 做菜 (zuòcài) 中 (zhōng) 最 (zuì) 重要 (zhòngyào) 的 (de) 是 (shì) 什么 (shénme)？
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
谈谈您第一次做菜的经历。
Focus: 谈谈 (tántán) 您 (nín) 第 (dì) 一次 (yīcì) 做菜 (zuòcài) 的 (de) 经历 (jīnglì)。
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
您认为做菜可以培养哪些能力？
Focus: 您 (nín) 认为 (rènwéi) 做菜 (zuòcài) 可以 (kěyǐ) 培养 (péiyǎng) 哪些 (nǎxiē) 能力 (nénglì)？
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are hosting a dinner party tonight. Describe the dishes you plan to cook and why you chose them. Include at least three different dishes.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今晚我要为朋友们做菜，我打算做三个菜。首先是麻婆豆腐，因为我的朋友们都很喜欢吃辣。然后是糖醋里脊，这个菜酸甜可口，应该会很受欢迎。最后是炒时蔬，为了健康均衡。希望大家会喜欢我做的菜。
Write a short paragraph about the importance of knowing how to cook in daily life, especially when living alone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
会做菜在日常生活中非常重要，特别是独自生活时。自己做菜不仅能保证饮食健康，还能节省不少开销。更重要的是，做菜是一种生活技能，能让人感到独立和满足。不必总是依赖外卖，可以根据自己的喜好和需求来准备食物。
Imagine you are giving advice to a beginner who wants to learn how to cook Chinese food. What are the first three dishes you would recommend they learn to make and why?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果你是初学者，想学做中国菜，我建议你从这三道菜开始。第一道是番茄炒蛋，因为它做法简单，食材常见，很容易成功。第二道是蒜蓉西兰花，健康又美味，而且烹饪时间短。第三道是蛋炒饭，可以练习火候和调味，是很多菜肴的基础。掌握了这几道菜，你就会对做菜更有信心。
根据短文，小李对做菜的态度是什么？
Read this passage:
小李是一个美食爱好者，他总是喜欢尝试新的食谱。对他来说，做菜不仅是一种生活技能，更是一种艺术。他享受从选购食材到烹饪完成的整个过程。最近，他正在学习做一道复杂的川菜，虽然有些挑战，但他乐在其中。
根据短文，小李对做菜的态度是什么？
短文中提到“做菜不仅是一种生活技能，更是一种艺术”以及“他享受从选购食材到烹饪完成的整个过程”。
短文中提到“做菜不仅是一种生活技能，更是一种艺术”以及“他享受从选购食材到烹饪完成的整个过程”。
王阿姨开始做菜的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
王阿姨年轻时从不进厨房，因为工作繁忙，她总是依赖餐馆和外卖。退休后，为了健康和兴趣，她开始跟着电视节目学习做菜。现在，她不仅能做出各种家常菜，还经常邀请朋友来家里品尝她的手艺。做菜给她带来了很多乐趣和满足感。
王阿姨开始做菜的原因是什么？
短文中明确提到“退休后，为了健康和兴趣，她开始跟着电视节目学习做菜”。
短文中明确提到“退休后，为了健康和兴趣，她开始跟着电视节目学习做菜”。
根据这段文字，做菜能带来哪些益处？
Read this passage:
许多人认为，会做菜是提升生活品质的重要一步。它不仅能让你的饮食更健康、更符合个人口味，还能在无形中培养耐心和创造力。当你亲手为家人或朋友做出一顿美味的饭菜时，那种成就感是无法替代的。因此，掌握做菜技能对现代人来说意义重大。
根据这段文字，做菜能带来哪些益处？
文中指出“会做菜是提升生活品质的重要一步。它不仅能让你的饮食更健康、更符合个人口味，还能在无形中培养耐心和创造力。当你亲手为家人或朋友做出一顿美味的饭菜时，那种成就感是无法替代的。”
文中指出“会做菜是提升生活品质的重要一步。它不仅能让你的饮食更健康、更符合个人口味，还能在无形中培养耐心和创造力。当你亲手为家人或朋友做出一顿美味的饭菜时，那种成就感是无法替代的。”
她不仅擅长摄影，还对美食有着独特见解，经常在自己的博客上分享她___的经验和技巧。
‘做菜’ is the most appropriate and natural fit here, specifically referring to the act of preparing various dishes, aligning with sharing culinary experiences and techniques. The other options are too general or specific.
为了准备这次家庭聚会，他提前两天就开始研究菜单，力求每一道___都能让大家赞不绝口。
Here, '做菜' refers to the preparation of individual dishes that make up the menu, fitting the context of a family gathering where each dish is important. '烧菜' is also possible, but '做菜' is more general.
作为一名专业的厨师，他最大的乐趣就是通过不断尝试新食材和新方法，将___变成一种艺术。
'做菜' emphasizes the artistic aspect of preparing dishes, which aligns with a professional chef's passion for experimenting and creating. '烹饪' is also a good fit, but '做菜' feels more direct in this context.
尽管工作繁忙，她每周都会抽出时间亲自___，享受家庭温馨的时刻。
'做菜' emphasizes the act of preparing various dishes for the family meal, contributing to a warm family atmosphere. '做饭' is too general.
他从小就对烹饪充满热情，立志长大后要成为一名优秀的厨师，把___的技艺传承下去。
'做菜' is the most suitable term to refer to the skill and art of preparing dishes, which a chef would inherit and pass on. '做饭' is less precise.
在疫情期间，许多人选择在家中___，不仅节省了开支，也增添了生活乐趣。
During a pandemic, people are likely to be preparing a variety of dishes at home, making '做菜' a very appropriate choice that conveys both practicality and enjoyment. '烹饪' is also good, but '做菜' is slightly more colloquial.
Listen for how '火候' (cooking heat/timing) affects the food.
Pay attention to what kind of cuisine she wants to make.
Notice how the speaker describes the quality of the cooked dishes despite simple ingredients.
Read this aloud:
你能分享一个你做菜的秘诀吗？
Focus: 秘诀 (mìjué)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
对于新手来说，做菜最重要的是什么？
Focus: 新手 (xīnshǒu)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
做菜时，你更注重味道还是营养？
Focus: 营养 (yíngyǎng)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes someone who always hums a tune while cooking in the kitchen.
This sentence highlights someone's culinary skills and their unique insights into food pairing.
This sentence illustrates someone going out of their way to learn regional specialty dishes for their family.
/ 84 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 做菜
做菜 (zuò cài) literally means 'to make dishes'. 做 (zuò) means 'to do' or 'to make', and 菜 (cài) means 'dish' or 'vegetable'.
Usage with Food Items
You can use 做菜 generally, or specify what you are cooking. For example, 做中国菜 (zuò zhōngguó cài) means 'to cook Chinese food', or 做意大利面 (zuò yìdàlì miàn) means 'to make pasta'.
做饭 vs. 做菜
做饭 (zuò fàn) and 做菜 are often interchangeable. 做饭 is a bit more general, meaning 'to cook a meal', while 做菜 focuses on the dishes themselves. Think of 做饭 as the whole process of meal preparation, and 做菜 as making the individual components.
Common Questions with 做菜
A common question is 你会做菜吗？ (Nǐ huì zuò cài ma?) which means 'Can you cook?' or 'Do you know how to cook?'
Beispiel
她很会做菜。
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr food Wörter
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
