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A2 noun #7,500 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

荤菜

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Erklärung 荤菜 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 荤菜 (hūncài) means 'meat dish.' You will mostly use it when ordering food at a restaurant or talking about what you like to eat. It is the opposite of 素菜 (sùcài), which means 'vegetable dish.' A simple way to remember it is: '荤' sounds like 'hun' (hungry for meat!). You might use it in very simple sentences like '我喜欢吃荤菜' (I like eating meat dishes) or '这是荤菜吗？' (Is this a meat dish?). At this stage, don't worry about the history or the 'pungent spices' meaning; just think of it as the 'meat' section of the menu. You should also learn the measure word '个' (gè) to count them, as in '一个荤菜' (one meat dish). This is one of the most practical words for survival in a Chinese-speaking environment because it helps you ensure you get the food you want (or avoid what you don't want).

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At the A2 level, you should start using 荤菜 to describe a meal more completely. You can now use phrases like '荤素搭配' (hūnsù dāpèi), which means 'a mix of meat and vegetables.' This shows you understand that a good Chinese meal should have both. You might also encounter the terms '大荤' (dàhūn - pure meat) and '小荤' (xiǎohūn - meat mixed with veg) in a school or office cafeteria. At this level, you should be comfortable using 荤菜 as a category. Instead of just saying 'I eat meat,' you can say '这顿饭荤菜太多了，我们点个素菜吧' (There are too many meat dishes in this meal, let's order a vegetable dish). This shows a higher level of conversational ability where you are coordinating with others. You should also notice that 荤菜 is a noun, while 吃荤 (chīhūn) is a verb-object phrase meaning 'to eat meat' or 'not to be a vegetarian.'

By B1, you should understand the social implications of 荤菜. In Chinese culture, providing plenty of meat dishes is a sign of hospitality. You might hear someone say '招待客人要多准备几个荤菜' (When hosting guests, one should prepare more meat dishes). You should also be able to use the word in health contexts, such as '医生建议他少吃荤菜，多运动' (The doctor suggested he eat fewer meat dishes and exercise more). At this level, you might also start to see the character '荤' in other words, like '荤油' (hūnyóu - lard/animal fat). You should also be aware that in a religious context, '荤' can include specific strong-smelling vegetables like garlic, so if you are talking to a monk or at a temple, the word has a stricter meaning. Your sentences should become more complex, using 荤菜 in subordinate clauses or as part of more formal descriptions of food culture.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the metaphorical and idiomatic uses of 荤. For example, '荤段子' (hūn duànzi) refers to 'dirty' or 'off-color' jokes. This transition from 'meat' to 'sensual/fleshy' is a key part of understanding Chinese linguistic nuances. You should also be able to discuss the history of the word—how it shifted from meaning pungent vegetables to meaning meat. In discussions about lifestyle or economics, you might use 荤菜 to discuss the rising standard of living in China, where '顿顿有荤菜' (having meat at every meal) was once a dream for many. You should also be able to distinguish between 荤菜 and 肉类 in writing, using the former for culinary contexts and the latter for scientific or commercial contexts. Your ability to use the word should feel natural in both formal dining settings and casual social critiques of modern diets.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 荤菜 should include its place in classical literature and deep cultural philosophy. You can discuss the 'Five Pungent Spices' (五荤 - wǔhūn) and why they were historically categorized with meat in Buddhist and Taoist traditions. This involves a deep dive into the concept of 'purity' in Chinese thought. You should be able to analyze how the concept of 荤 reflects traditional views on health, where 'heavy' foods (meat/pungent veg) are contrasted with 'light' (清淡 - qīngdàn) foods. In your own speech, you can use the word with precision in high-level debates about vegetarianism, animal rights, or the environmental impact of meat consumption in China. You should also be familiar with regional variations; for instance, how certain southern dialects might use different terms for 'meat dishes' but still recognize 荤菜 as the standard Mandarin term for formal menus.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 荤菜 and its entire semantic field. You can effortlessly switch between its literal meaning in a culinary critique and its metaphorical use in literature or social commentary. You might explore how the term appears in classical texts to denote the lifestyle of the elite versus the 'bitter' life of the peasantry who only ate '素'. You can appreciate the irony in modern 'fake meat' (素鸡, 素鸭) which are '素菜' designed to look and taste like '荤菜'. Your mastery allows you to use the word in creative writing to evoke specific sensory details or cultural atmospheres. You understand the subtle shift in tone when a speaker chooses 荤菜 over 肉菜 or 腥. Essentially, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a cultural symbol that you can manipulate to express complex ideas about Chinese society, religion, and history.

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荤菜 in 30 Sekunden

荤菜 (hūncài) refers to any dish containing meat, poultry, or seafood, serving as the standard term for non-vegetarian options in Chinese dining.
It is the direct antonym of 素菜 (sùcài), which refers to vegetarian dishes, and is essential for navigating Chinese menus and canteens.
The word has religious roots, originally including pungent vegetables like garlic, but today it is strictly used for meat-based culinary preparations.
In social contexts, '荤' can also metaphorically refer to off-color or 'salty' humor, such as '荤段子' (dirty jokes).

The term 荤菜 (hūncài) is a fundamental noun in Chinese culinary vocabulary, primarily used to denote any dish that contains meat, poultry, or seafood. While the English translation 'meat dish' is the most direct equivalent, the cultural weight of the word carries deep historical and religious roots. In the context of a modern Chinese restaurant, when you look at a menu, it is often divided into 荤菜 and 素菜 (sùcài - vegetarian dishes). This binary classification is the most common way Chinese people organize their meals, ensuring a balance between protein and vegetables.

Daily Usage: In everyday conversation, you'll hear this word when people discuss their dietary preferences or when ordering food. For example, if someone is a heavy meat eater, they might be described as '无荤不欢' (wú hūn bù huān), meaning they aren't happy without a meat dish on the table. It covers everything from a simple stir-fried pork slice to elaborate seafood banquets.
The 'Pungent' History: Interestingly, the character 荤 originally did not mean meat. In ancient times, particularly within Buddhist traditions, it referred to the 'five pungent spices' (garlic, onions, chives, etc.) that were forbidden because they were thought to excite the senses and disturb meditation. Over centuries, the meaning shifted to encompass animal products, which were also restricted in religious diets. Today, however, unless you are in a strict religious setting, it almost exclusively refers to meat and fish.

服务员，我们已经点了三个素菜了，再加两个荤菜吧。(Waiter, we've already ordered three vegetable dishes, let's add two meat dishes.)

When navigating Chinese social circles, understanding '荤菜' is essential for managing group orders. Chinese meals are typically family-style, where dishes are shared. If you are the one ordering, you must balance the '荤' and '素'. A common mistake for beginners is ordering only the most famous dishes, which are often all meat, leading to a meal that feels '腻' (nì - greasy or overly rich). Balancing a heavy 荤菜 like Braised Pork Belly with a light 素菜 like stir-fried bok choy is considered the hallmark of a sophisticated diner.

他最近在减肥，所以尽量少吃荤菜。(He is on a diet recently, so he tries to eat fewer meat dishes.)

Beyond the physical food, the word occasionally appears in metaphorical contexts. For instance, '荤段子' (hūn duànzi) refers to 'dirty jokes' or 'off-color humor,' playing on the idea of 'meat' being something fleshy or sensory-driven compared to the 'purity' of vegetarianism. This shows how the concept of '荤' permeates more than just the kitchen; it represents a category of things that are rich, sensory, and sometimes indulgent.

Using 荤菜 correctly involves understanding its role as a collective noun for a category of food. It is rarely used to describe a specific animal (like saying 'this pig dish'), but rather to categorize the dish's status on the menu or table. In a sentence, it often functions as the object of verbs like 点 (diǎn - to order), 吃 (chī - to eat), or 做 (zuò - to cook/make).

As a Direct Object: The most common usage is simply stating one's preference or action regarding meat. '我不爱吃荤菜' (I don't like eating meat dishes). Here, it acts as a general category.
In Comparisons: It is frequently paired with its antonym, 素菜. '这桌菜有荤有素' (This table of food has both meat and vegetable dishes). The phrase '有荤有素' is a standard way to describe a well-balanced meal.

今天的晚餐非常丰盛，一共有六个荤菜。(Today's dinner is very sumptuous; there are six meat dishes in total.)

When you are at a restaurant and the waiter asks if you have any dietary restrictions, you might say, '我们不吃荤菜' (We don't eat meat dishes). However, be careful: in some traditional contexts, this might imply you are a Buddhist vegetarian, which also excludes garlic and onions. If you just mean 'no meat,' it is often clearer to say '我不吃肉' (I don't eat meat), but '荤菜' remains the standard term for the dishes themselves on the menu.

这道荤菜是这家餐厅的招牌菜。(This meat dish is the signature dish of this restaurant.)

In more advanced structures, you might see it used to describe a lifestyle. '顿顿都有荤菜' (Every single meal has a meat dish) implies a high standard of living or a specific dietary habit. In rural China historically, having a 荤菜 was a luxury reserved for festivals, so the word still carries a slight connotation of 'richness' or 'specialty' in older generations' ears.

If you are in a Chinese-speaking environment, you will encounter 荤菜 in several specific high-frequency scenarios. The most obvious is the restaurant setting. Whether it's a high-end banquet hall or a local 'hole-in-the-wall' eatery, the menu (菜单 - càidān) is the primary place where this word lives. It helps diners navigate the selection quickly.

At the University Canteen: In a Chinese university or factory canteen (食堂 - shítáng), the price of a meal is often determined by how many '荤' and '素' you choose. You might hear a student say, '我要一份两荤一素的套餐' (I want a set meal with two meat dishes and one vegetable dish). This shorthand is ubiquitous in budget dining.
Family Kitchen Conversations: When parents or grandparents plan the daily meals, they will ask, '今天晚上做几个荤菜？' (How many meat dishes should we cook tonight?). It's part of the domestic planning of nutrition and budget.

这家的荤菜做得挺地道的，尤其是红烧肉。(The meat dishes here are quite authentic, especially the braised pork.)

You will also hear this word in health-related contexts. Doctors or nutritionists in China often advise patients to '少吃荤菜，多吃素菜' (eat fewer meat dishes, eat more vegetable dishes) to manage conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Here, 荤菜 acts as a stand-in for 'fatty or high-protein animal foods'.

过年的时候，桌上全是荤菜，看着就饱了。(During Chinese New Year, the table is full of meat dishes; I feel full just looking at them.)

Lastly, in modern food delivery apps like Meituan or Ele.me, filters often include '荤素搭配' (a mix of meat and veg) or specific categories for '大荤' (pure meat) and '小荤' (meat mixed with vegetables). Hearing or seeing these terms helps you understand the 'grammar' of Chinese eating habits.

While 荤菜 seems straightforward, there are a few nuances that trip up English speakers. The most common mistake is confusing 'meat' (肉 - ròu) with 'meat dish' (荤菜 - hūncài). While they overlap, they are not always interchangeable.

Mistake 1: Using it for raw meat: You cannot go to a butcher and ask for 'a kilo of 荤菜'. 荤菜 refers to a prepared dish. For the ingredient itself, you must use 肉 (meat), 猪肉 (pork), etc. It's the difference between 'meat' and 'a meat-based entree'.
Mistake 2: The 'Small Meat' Confusion: In many Chinese contexts, dishes are categorized as '大荤' (dàhūn) and '小荤' (xiǎohūn). A beginner might think '小荤' is a small portion of meat. Actually, '小荤' usually refers to a vegetable dish that contains some meat for flavor (like stir-fried green beans with minced pork), while '大荤' is a solid piece of meat (like a steak or a chicken drumstick).

Incorrect: 我去超市买点荤菜。(I'm going to the supermarket to buy some meat dishes - unless you mean pre-cooked meals.)
Correct: 我去超市买点肉。(I'm going to the supermarket to buy some meat.)

Another error is the assumption that 荤 only means 'animal meat'. As mentioned in the etymology, it historically included pungent vegetables. While rare today, if you are at a Buddhist temple restaurant, a dish might be '素' (vegetarian) but still not '荤' (meaning it has no garlic/onions). This is a high-level distinction, but useful for travelers visiting religious sites.

别光点荤菜，也要点些青菜平衡一下。(Don't just order meat dishes; you should also order some greens to balance it out.)

Finally, remember the measure word. English speakers often forget that in Chinese, you count 'dishes'. Saying '我要荤菜' sounds like 'I want meat dish.' Adding the measure word '一道' or '一个' makes you sound much more native: '我要一道荤菜'.

To truly master the culinary vocabulary, you need to know how 荤菜 relates to other similar terms. Chinese food terminology is very specific about the 'form' and 'content' of the food.

荤菜 (hūncài) vs. 肉类 (ròulèi): 荤菜 refers to the finished dish on the table. 肉类 is a more biological or categorical term meaning 'meat types' or 'meat products.' You would see '肉类' in a nutrition book or a supermarket aisle sign, but '荤菜' on a menu.
荤菜 (hūncài) vs. 腥 (xīng): In some dialects and religious contexts, '腥' (xīng) is used to refer to meat/fish. The phrase '吃荤' and '吃腥' are related. '腥' often specifically refers to the fishy smell of seafood or the raw smell of meat. If someone says '我不吃荤腥' (wǒ bù chī hūnxīng), they are being very emphatic about avoiding all animal products.
荤菜 (hūncài) vs. 主菜 (zhǔcài): While '主菜' means 'main course' (similar to Western dining), in Chinese family-style dining, the '荤菜' usually are the main courses. However, '主菜' is a formal term used more in Western-style Chinese restaurants or formal banquet descriptions.

虽然他是素食主义者，但他并不介意别人在他面前吃荤菜。(Even though he is a vegetarian, he doesn't mind others eating meat dishes in front of him.)

Other alternatives include 肉菜 (ròucài), which is a more colloquial and literal way of saying 'meat dish.' It is almost synonymous with 荤菜 but feels slightly more informal. If you are talking to a child, you might say '肉肉' (ròurou) to refer to the meat in a dish, but you wouldn't call the dish a '荤菜' in that context.

Understanding these distinctions helps you move from basic communication to nuanced expression. For example, knowing that '荤' can also mean 'non-vegetarian humor' (荤段子) allows you to understand social cues that a literal translation of 'meat dish' would never reveal.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The reason '荤' has a grass radical is that it originally meant plants! It only came to mean 'meat' because Buddhists grouped meat and pungent vegetables together as 'forbidden foods.' Over time, the 'meat' meaning became dominant.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /huːn tsʰaɪ/

US /hun tsaɪ/

The stress is equal on both syllables in Mandarin, but 'cài' often feels more emphatic due to the falling tone.

Reimt sich auf

婚 (hūn) 军 (jūn) 菜 (cài) - rhymes with 爱 (ài) 快 (kuài) 带 (dài) 外 (wài) 孙 (sūn) 云 (yún)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'cài' as 'kai' (like 'kite'). It must be a 'ts' sound.
Ignoring the first tone of 'hūn', making it sound like 'hún' (muddy).
Pronouncing 'hūn' like 'hun' (as in 'honey'). It should be an 'oo' sound.
Confusing the falling tone of 'cài' with a rising tone.
Pronouncing the 'h' too softly; it should be clear.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The characters are relatively simple, but '荤' has many strokes.

Schreiben 3/5

Writing '荤' requires attention to the radical and the bottom part.

Sprechen 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Hören 1/5

Very distinct sound in the context of food.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

肉 (meat) 菜 (dish/vegetable) 吃 (eat) 喜欢 (like) 点 (order)

Als Nächstes lernen

素菜 (vegetable dish) 海鲜 (seafood) 主食 (staple food) 油腻 (greasy) 健康 (healthy)

Fortgeschritten

斋食 (temple food) 五荤 (five pungent spices) 膳食纤维 (dietary fiber) 蛋白质 (protein)

Wichtige Grammatik

Measure Words for Dishes

一道荤菜 (yī dào hūncài) - One meat dish.

Adjective + Noun

好吃的荤菜 (hǎochī de hūncài) - Delicious meat dish.

Negation with '不'

我不吃荤菜 (wǒ bù chī hūncài) - I don't eat meat dishes.

Quantifiers

很多荤菜 (hěnduō hūncài) - Many meat dishes.

Topic-Comment Structure

这个荤菜，味道很特别。 (This meat dish, the taste is very special.)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

这个荤菜很好吃。

This meat dish is very delicious.

Uses the basic 'Subject + Adjective' structure.

我不吃荤菜。

I don't eat meat dishes.

Simple negation with '不'.

菜单上有荤菜吗？

Are there meat dishes on the menu?

A basic 'Yes/No' question with '吗'.

我要一个荤菜。

I want one meat dish.

Uses the measure word '个'.

荤菜贵吗？

Are meat dishes expensive?

Simple question structure.

他喜欢荤菜。

He likes meat dishes.

Basic 'Subject + Verb + Object'.

这是什么荤菜？

What meat dish is this?

Uses the question word '什么'.

我们点一个荤菜吧。

Let's order a meat dish.

Uses '吧' for a suggestion.

桌上有两个荤菜和三个素菜。

There are two meat dishes and three vegetable dishes on the table.

Demonstrates the contrast between 荤 and 素.

这道荤菜太油腻了。

This meat dish is too oily/greasy.

Uses '太...了' for emphasis.

为了健康，你应该少吃荤菜。

For your health, you should eat fewer meat dishes.

Uses '应该' (should) and '少' (less).

这家店的荤菜很有名。

The meat dishes at this shop are very famous.

Uses '很有名' (very famous) as a predicate.

你想吃哪种荤菜？

Which kind of meat dish do you want to eat?

Uses '哪种' (which kind).

我不常做荤菜，因为太麻烦了。

I don't often cook meat dishes because it's too much trouble.

Uses '因为' (because) to explain a reason.

这种荤菜是用猪肉做的。

This meat dish is made with pork.

Uses the '用...做的' (made with...) structure.

餐厅的荤菜比素菜贵。

The meat dishes at the restaurant are more expensive than the vegetable dishes.

Uses '比' for comparison.

在中国的宴会上，荤菜通常是主打。

At Chinese banquets, meat dishes are usually the main focus.

Uses '通常' (usually) and '主打' (main feature).

如果你点太多荤菜，会觉得很腻。

If you order too many meat dishes, you will feel it's too rich/greasy.

Conditional '如果...会...' structure.

他是一个‘无荤不欢’的人。

He is a person who 'isn't happy without meat.'

Uses the common idiom '无荤不欢'.

这道荤菜的做法非常复杂。

The cooking method for this meat dish is very complex.

Uses '做法' (cooking method).

虽然荤菜好吃，但也不能顿顿都吃。

Although meat dishes are tasty, you can't eat them every single meal.

Uses '虽然...但...' (although... but...).

这里的荤菜种类繁多，让人眼花缭乱。

The variety of meat dishes here is vast, it's dazzling.

Uses the idiom '眼花缭乱'.

请帮我推荐一道比较清淡的荤菜。

Please recommend a relatively light meat dish for me.

Uses '清淡' (light/not greasy) to modify a noun.

他为了省钱，一个月只吃几次荤菜。

To save money, he only eats meat dishes a few times a month.

Uses '为了' (in order to) to show purpose.

随着生活水平的提高，荤菜已经成为了人们餐桌上的常客。

With the improvement of living standards, meat dishes have become a regular guest on people's dining tables.

Uses '随着...的提高' (with the improvement of...).

这道荤菜完美地结合了酸、甜、苦、辣四种味道。

This meat dish perfectly combines the four flavors of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.

Uses '结合' (combine) and a list of adjectives.

在一些正式场合，荤菜的摆放也是有讲究的。

On some formal occasions, the arrangement of meat dishes is also quite meticulous.

Uses '有讲究' (to be particular about/meticulous).

他偶尔也会讲一些荤段子来活跃气氛。

He occasionally tells some off-color jokes to liven up the atmosphere.

Uses '荤段子' in its metaphorical sense.

这种荤菜的口感非常独特，外酥里嫩。

The texture of this meat dish is very unique, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Uses the common food idiom '外酥里嫩'.

由于宗教信仰的原因，他从不碰任何荤菜。

Due to religious beliefs, he never touches any meat dishes.

Uses '由于...的原因' (due to the reason of...).

我们要提倡荤素平衡的饮食结构。

We should promote a dietary structure that balances meat and vegetables.

Uses '提倡' (promote/advocate).

这道荤菜勾起了我对家乡的思念。

This meat dish evoked my nostalgia for my hometown.

Uses '勾起...的思念' (evoke nostalgia).

在佛教语境中，‘荤’最初指的是五种具有辛辣气味的蔬菜。

In the Buddhist context, 'hun' originally referred to five types of vegetables with a pungent smell.

Explains historical etymology.

这道荤菜在火候的掌控上达到了炉火纯青的地步。

This meat dish has reached a level of perfection in the control of heat.

Uses the idiom '炉火纯青' (attained perfection).

现代人对荤菜的追求已经从‘量’转向了‘质’。

Modern people's pursuit of meat dishes has shifted from 'quantity' to 'quality.'

Uses '从...转向...' (shift from... to...).

这篇小说通过对荤菜的细腻描写，展现了封建社会的奢靡生活。

Through delicate descriptions of meat dishes, this novel reveals the extravagant life of feudal society.

Uses '通过...展现' (reveal through...).

尽管是一道普通的荤菜，经过名厨之手，也变得非同凡响。

Even though it is an ordinary meat dish, in the hands of a famous chef, it becomes extraordinary.

Uses '尽管...也...' (even though... also...).

他试图在繁杂的菜单中寻觅一道不那么油腻的荤菜。

He tried to find a meat dish that wasn't so greasy among the complex menu.

Uses formal verbs like '寻觅' (seek/search).

荤菜的过度摄入被认为是导致许多现代文明病的诱因之一。

Excessive intake of meat dishes is considered one of the triggers for many modern lifestyle diseases.

Uses academic terms like '过度摄入' and '诱因'.

在某些文化中，禁食荤菜被视为一种净化心灵的方式。

In certain cultures, abstaining from meat dishes is seen as a way to purify the soul.

Uses '被视为' (is regarded as).

荤菜与素菜的博弈，映射出人类在口腹之欲与道德自律之间的挣扎。

The interplay between meat and vegetable dishes reflects the struggle of humanity between physical desire and moral self-discipline.

High-level philosophical vocabulary.

这种荤菜的烹饪技艺已濒临失传，唯有少数老艺人尚能掌握。

The cooking techniques for this meat dish are on the verge of being lost; only a few old masters can still master them.

Uses '濒临失传' (on the verge of extinction).

文章将那道荤菜比作‘餐桌上的艺术品’，辞藻华丽，意境深远。

The article compares that meat dish to an 'artwork on the dining table,' with ornate language and profound meaning.

Discusses literary style and metaphor.

在物资匮乏的年代，一道荤菜往往承载着全家人对美好生活的全部向往。

In eras of material scarcity, a meat dish often carried all the family's yearnings for a better life.

Uses '承载' (to carry/bear) in a metaphorical sense.

即便是在推崇素食的今天，荤菜在饮食文化中的核心地位依然难以撼动。

Even today, when vegetarianism is promoted, the core status of meat dishes in culinary culture remains difficult to shake.

Uses '即便...依然' (even if... still).

他笔下的文字，正如一道烹饪得当的荤菜，既有厚度又不失鲜美。

The writing under his pen is just like a well-cooked meat dish, having both depth and freshness.

Abstract comparison between literature and food.

对荤菜的这种极度痴迷，实际上反映了人类进化的某种本能遗存。

This extreme obsession with meat dishes actually reflects a certain instinctive remnant of human evolution.

Uses '反映了...本能遗存' (reflects... instinctive remnant).

厨师通过对食材的解构与重组，赋予了这道传统荤菜全新的灵魂。

By deconstructing and restructuring the ingredients, the chef gave this traditional meat dish a completely new soul.

Uses '解构与重组' (deconstruction and restructuring).

Häufige Kollokationen

点荤菜

做荤菜

爱吃荤菜

一道荤菜

几个荤菜

丰盛的荤菜

油腻的荤菜

招牌荤菜

少吃荤菜

全是荤菜

Häufige Phrasen

无荤不欢

— Literally 'no meat, no joy.' It describes someone who must have meat in every meal.

我爸爸是个无荤不欢的人，每顿饭都要有肉。

荤素搭配

— A balanced mix of meat and vegetables. It is the standard advice for healthy eating in China.

点菜要注意荤素搭配，这样才健康。

大荤小荤

— Terms used in canteens to distinguish between pure meat dishes and mixed meat/veg dishes.

食堂的大荤小荤价格不一样。

开荤

— Literally 'to start eating meat.' It can mean eating meat after a period of fasting, or metaphorically, experiencing something for the first time.

他在山里住了半个月，今天终于下山开荤了。

荤段子

— Dirty or off-color jokes. '荤' here refers to the 'fleshy' or 'sensual' nature of the jokes.

他在聚会上讲荤段子，让大家觉得很尴尬。

荤油

— Lard or animal fat used for cooking. It is considered more flavorful but less healthy than vegetable oil.

用荤油炒菜虽然香，但是胆固醇高。

不吃荤

— To be a vegetarian or to avoid meat for a specific reason.

我奶奶信佛，所以她一辈子都不吃荤。

荤腥不沾

— To not touch a single bit of meat or fish. A very strong way to express vegetarianism.

他已经到了荤腥不沾的境界了。

油水荤菜

— Meat dishes with a lot of fat or oil. Often used in times of scarcity to describe 'rich' food.

那时候大家都缺油水，能吃到荤菜就很开心了。

荤素不忌

— Not having any dietary restrictions; eating everything. It can also metaphorically mean someone who isn't picky about anything.

他这人荤素不忌，什么都吃，好养活。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

荤菜 vs 肉

Refers to the meat itself (raw or ingredient), while 荤菜 is the prepared dish.

荤菜 vs 素菜

The opposite. Beginners sometimes mix up the characters because they both end in '菜'.

荤菜 vs 主菜

Main course. In Chinese dining, multiple meat dishes can be served, so '荤菜' is more common than '主菜'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"无荤不欢"

— To be unable to enjoy a meal without meat. It highlights the importance of meat in some people's diets.

他简直是无荤不欢，连吃面条都要加排骨。

Informal

"酒肉朋友"

— Friends only for wine and meat. Fair-weather friends who are only around for indulgence.

那些酒肉朋友在你困难的时候是不会帮你的。

Common

"大鱼大肉"

— Abundant fish and meat. Refers to a very rich, extravagant meal.

过年期间天天大鱼大肉，肠胃都受不了了。

Common

"荤素搭配"

— The principle of balancing meat and vegetables in a meal.

厨师非常讲究荤素搭配。

Neutral

"开荤"

— To break a fast or to experience something pleasurable for the first time.

他这辈子还没开过荤呢，这次一定要带他去见见世面。

Slangy

"荤腥"

— Often used to refer to the 'temptations' of the flesh or animal products.

出家人不能沾荤腥。

Religious/Formal

"五荤"

— The five pungent vegetables forbidden in Buddhism (garlic, etc.).

佛教徒不仅不吃肉，连五荤也不吃。

Religious

"荤段子"

— Smutty jokes or suggestive humor.

不要在公共场合讲荤段子。

Informal

"肉食者鄙"

— Literally 'meat-eaters are shallow.' A classical idiom suggesting that those in power (who eat meat) lack vision.

虽然这句古话有些偏激，但也有其道理。

Literary

"酒色财气"

— Wine, women, wealth, and anger. The four traditional vices, where 'wine and meat' (荤) are implied in the first part.

他被酒色财气迷了心窍。

Literary

Leicht verwechselbar

荤菜 vs 肉菜

They both mean meat dishes.

荤菜 is the standard term on menus; 肉菜 is more colloquial and literal.

菜单上写着‘荤菜类’，但妈妈说‘多吃点肉菜’。

荤菜 vs 荤腥

Both refer to meat.

荤腥 is more emphatic and often used in religious or negative contexts regarding the 'smell' or 'temptation' of meat.

出家人不沾荤腥。

荤菜 vs 大荤

Sounds like 'big meat.'

It's a canteen specific term for a dish that is almost 100% meat.

今天的红烧肉是大荤。

荤菜 vs 小荤

Sounds like 'small meat.'

It's a dish where meat is a secondary ingredient to vegetables.

青椒肉丝属于小荤。

荤菜 vs 五荤

Contains the word '荤'.

Specifically refers to five pungent vegetables (garlic, etc.) forbidden in Buddhism.

修行人不仅戒肉，还戒五荤。

Satzmuster

我喜欢吃[荤菜]。

我喜欢吃荤菜。

这里有[number]道[荤菜]。

这里有三道荤菜。

虽然[荤菜]好吃，但是[negative aspect]。

虽然荤菜好吃，但是太油腻了。

与其多吃[荤菜]，不如多吃[素菜]。

与其多吃荤菜，不如多吃素菜。

[荤菜]的[quality]取决于[factor]。

荤菜的味道取决于火候。

[荤菜]不仅仅是[thing]，更是[cultural aspect]。

荤菜不仅仅是食物，更是身份的象征。

请推荐一道[adjective]的荤菜。

请推荐一道不辣的荤菜。

他是个[无荤不欢]的人。

他是个无荤不欢的人。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

荤菜 (meat dish)

荤腥 (meat products/smell)

荤油 (lard)

荤段子 (dirty joke)

Verben

开荤 (to start eating meat/break a fast)

吃荤 (to eat meat)

Adjektive

荤的 (non-vegetarian)

油腻的 (greasy - often associated with 荤菜)

Verwandt

素菜 (vegetable dish)

肉 (meat)

海鲜 (seafood)

禽类 (poultry)

菜单 (menu)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in culinary and daily life contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Using '荤菜' for raw meat. → 肉 (ròu)
荤菜 only refers to prepared dishes. You don't buy '荤菜' at a butcher shop; you buy '肉'.
Thinking '荤' only means pork/beef. → 荤菜 (includes fish/seafood)
In Chinese culinary categorization, fish and seafood are also considered '荤'.
Using '荤菜' as an uncountable noun. → 一道荤菜 / 几个荤菜
In English, 'meat' is often uncountable, but in Chinese, '荤菜' is a countable noun for specific dishes.
Confusing '荤' with '混' (hùn - to mix). → 荤 (hūn)
They sound similar but have different tones and meanings. '荤' is first tone; '混' is fourth tone.
Saying '我不吃荤菜' to mean 'no garlic'. → 我不吃葱姜蒜 (I don't eat onions/ginger/garlic).
While '荤' historically included garlic, in modern usage, most people will only think you mean 'no meat'.

Tipps

The Art of Ordering

When ordering for a group, a good rule of thumb is to have one more dish than the number of people, with a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of 素菜 to 荤菜.

Measure Your Dishes

Always try to use the measure word '道' (dào) when talking about dishes on a menu. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using '个'.

Beyond Meat

Remember that '荤' can also apply to seafood. Don't be surprised if a fish dish is listed under the '荤菜' section of a menu.

Balance is Key

In China, '荤素搭配' (balancing meat and veg) is considered the golden rule of eating. If you order a heavy meat dish, balance it with a light vegetable dish.

The Grass Radical

Notice the 艹 at the top of 荤. This is a great memory hook to remember its historical meaning (pungent vegetables) and its modern meaning (meat dishes forbidden to monks).

Hospitality

If you are hosting a Chinese friend, ensure there is at least one prominent '荤菜' on the table. It shows you value the guest and the occasion.

Dirty Jokes

Be careful with '荤段子'. It's fine among close friends, but inappropriate in professional or formal settings. '荤' here means 'salty' or 'suggestive'.

Canteen Shorthand

If you are at a university, look for the '大荤' (big meat) and '小荤' (small meat) labels to understand the price differences.

Listen for 'Hūn'

In busy restaurants, waiters might shout '荤菜齐了' (all meat dishes are here). This helps you keep track of your order.

Stroke Order

When writing '荤', start with the grass radical, then the 'sun' (日) in the middle, and finally the 'car' (车) at the bottom. It's a complex but logical character.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a HUNgry (荤) person looking at a menu for a meat dish (菜). They want something substantial, not just grass!

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a menu with two columns: one has a green leaf icon (素菜) and the other has a red drumstick icon (荤菜).

Word Web

荤菜 (Meat Dish) 素菜 (Vegetable Dish) 猪肉 (Pork) 牛肉 (Beef) 鸡肉 (Chicken) 鱼 (Fish) 油腻 (Greasy) 营养 (Nutrition)

Herausforderung

Go to a Chinese menu online. Try to identify all the 荤菜 without using a translator. Look for characters like 肉, 鱼, 鸡, or 鸭.

Wortherkunft

The character '荤' (hūn) contains the 'grass' radical (艹), which hints at its original meaning. In ancient China, it referred to strong-smelling vegetables like garlic, onions, and leeks.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Strong-smelling vegetables (the five pungent spices).

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware that for many elderly Chinese, meat is a symbol of prosperity. Refusing a '荤菜' they cooked for you might be seen as refusing their hospitality.

In English-speaking cultures, 'meat' is often the center of the plate. In China, '荤菜' is one of several shared plates, which changes the way you think about portions.

The Buddhist 'Five Pungent Spices' (五荤). Traditional idioms like '无荤不欢'. Menu categories in famous restaurants like Haidilao.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

In a Restaurant

有什么荤菜？
这道荤菜辣吗？
我想点个荤菜。
荤菜多少钱？

At Home

今晚做荤菜吗？
我不爱吃荤菜。
荤菜做好了。
买点荤菜回来。

Health/Doctor

少吃点荤菜。
荤菜吃多了不好。
要注意荤素搭配。
不能只吃荤菜。

University Canteen

我要一个大荤。
这个小荤多少钱？
全是荤菜啊。
两荤一素。

Social Gatherings

他只吃荤菜。
别讲荤段子了。
这桌荤菜很丰盛。
无荤不欢的人。

Gesprächseinstiege

"你最喜欢吃的荤菜是什么？ (What is your favorite meat dish?)"

"你觉得荤菜和素菜哪个更好吃？ (Do you think meat or vegetable dishes are tastier?)"

"你们国家的荤菜一般是怎么做的？ (How are meat dishes usually cooked in your country?)"

"如果你去餐厅，你会点几个荤菜？ (If you go to a restaurant, how many meat dishes would you order?)"

"你是一个‘无荤不欢’的人吗？ (Are you someone who 'can't live without meat'?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

描述一道你最喜欢的荤菜。它的味道、颜色和口感是怎么样的？ (Describe your favorite meat dish. What is its taste, color, and texture?)

讨论一下现代人少吃荤菜的利与弊。 (Discuss the pros and cons of modern people eating fewer meat dishes.)

写一段关于你在中国餐厅点荤菜的经历。 (Write about your experience ordering meat dishes in a Chinese restaurant.)

你认为荤菜在节日大餐中重要吗？为什么？ (Do you think meat dishes are important in festive meals? Why?)

对比一下你家乡的荤菜和中国的荤菜。 (Compare meat dishes from your hometown with those in China.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, in modern Chinese, 荤菜 includes all animal products, including fish, shrimp, and other seafood. If a dish contains any part of an animal, it is considered 荤菜.

Not exactly. 肉 refers to the substance (meat), while 荤菜 refers to the category of the dish. You buy 肉 at the market, but you order a 荤菜 at a restaurant.

This is because it originally referred to pungent vegetables like garlic and onions. Over time, the meaning shifted to include meat, but the 'grass' radical remained.

You can say '我不吃荤菜' (I don't eat meat dishes). However, to be clearer, you should say '我吃素' (I eat vegetarian) or '我是素食者' (I am a vegetarian).

It is a slang term for a 'dirty joke' or 'off-color humor.' The word '荤' here implies something 'fleshy' or 'naughty' compared to 'clean' humor.

These are canteen terms. 大荤 is a dish with mostly meat (like a pork chop). 小荤 is a vegetable dish with some meat mixed in (like stir-fried celery with pork slices).

This is a gray area. In strict Buddhist diets, eggs are sometimes considered 荤. However, in most modern restaurants, egg dishes are often grouped with 素菜 (vegetables) unless they contain meat.

You would say '三道荤菜' (three meat dishes).

Not necessarily. While people often advise '少吃荤菜' (eat fewer meat dishes) for health, many meat dishes can be healthy if they are steamed or contain lean protein. The concern is usually about the oil and fat.

You can ask: '你们这儿有什么拿手的荤菜吗？' (Do you have any specialty meat dishes here?) This is a very natural way to ask for a recommendation.

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