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A2 verb #7,000 most common 8 min read

煮鸡蛋

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 煮鸡蛋 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 煮鸡蛋 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '煮鸡蛋' (zhǔ jīdàn) is a great phrase to learn because it uses very basic building blocks. '煮' means to boil, and '鸡蛋' means chicken egg. You can use this phrase to talk about what you eat for breakfast. It helps you practice the 'Subject + Verb + Object' sentence structure, which is the foundation of Chinese grammar. For example, '我吃煮鸡蛋' (I eat boiled eggs). It's a practical phrase for ordering food or telling someone your simple preferences. You will mostly use it as a noun phrase to identify the food on your plate.

At the A2 level, you start to use '煮鸡蛋' in more complex ways. You can describe the process or ask for specific quantities. You'll learn to use measure words like '个' (gè), as in '我要两个煮鸡蛋' (I want two boiled eggs). You also begin to understand how to use time durations with the verb, such as '煮五分钟' (boil for five minutes). This level focuses on daily survival skills, so knowing how to discuss '煮鸡蛋' in the context of a morning routine or a grocery shopping trip is essential. You might also start to distinguish between '煮' (boiling) and '煎' (frying).

At the B1 level, you can use '煮鸡蛋' to discuss topics like health, nutrition, and lifestyle. You might explain why you choose to eat boiled eggs instead of fried ones (e.g., because they have less oil). You can handle more nuanced conversations, such as discussing how to make the perfect soft-boiled egg (糖心蛋). You'll also be able to understand more complex instructions in a recipe. At this stage, you should be comfortable using resultative complements like '煮熟了' (boiled until cooked) or '煮破了' (boiled until the shell cracked).

At the B2 level, you can discuss '煮鸡蛋' in the context of cultural traditions and detailed culinary techniques. You might talk about the significance of '红鸡蛋' (red boiled eggs) in Chinese celebrations like birthdays or the 'full month' celebration for a newborn. You can also compare different regional ways of preparing boiled eggs, such as the famous 'tea eggs' (茶叶蛋) found in different provinces. Your vocabulary will include more specific terms for the textures of the egg white and yolk, and you can participate in a debate about the best way to cook eggs for maximum nutritional benefit.

At the C1 level, '煮鸡蛋' might appear in more idiomatic or metaphorical contexts, though it remains primarily a literal term. You can read and understand sophisticated food critiques or culinary history essays that mention the humble boiled egg as a measure of a chef's basic skills. You can use the term in a variety of registers, from casual home talk to formal nutritional science discussions. You'll understand the nuances of how the word is used in different Chinese-speaking regions and be able to explain the chemistry of boiling an egg in Chinese.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the term '煮鸡蛋' and its place in the Chinese language. You can discuss the evolution of the characters '煮' and '蛋' from their ancient forms. You can appreciate literature where the act of boiling an egg is used as a narrative device to show a character's simplicity or poverty. You can seamlessly switch between technical culinary jargon and colloquialisms. You are also aware of any obscure regional dialects that might use different terms for the same process, and you can provide a deep cultural analysis of why eggs are so central to Chinese life.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

煮鸡蛋 in 30 Seconds

煮鸡蛋 (zhǔ jīdàn) means to boil an egg or refers to a boiled egg.
It is a common A2 level phrase used in daily breakfast contexts.
The word combines '煮' (to boil) and '鸡蛋' (chicken egg).
It can function as both a verb and a noun in Chinese sentences.

The term 煮鸡蛋 (zhǔ jīdàn) is a fundamental Chinese verb-object construction that translates directly to 'to boil an egg' or refers to the 'boiled egg' itself depending on the context. In the vast landscape of Chinese culinary linguistics, this phrase is one of the first that learners encounter because eggs are a staple of the Chinese breakfast and a universal protein source. The word 煮 (zhǔ) represents the cooking method of boiling in water, while 鸡蛋 (jīdàn) literally means 'chicken egg'. This phrase is used daily in homes, restaurants, and street stalls across China.

Daily Routine: In a typical Chinese household, you will hear this word every morning. Parents might ask their children, '你要吃煮鸡蛋吗？' (Do you want to eat a boiled egg?). It is synonymous with a healthy, quick start to the day.

我每天早上都会给自己煮鸡蛋，因为这样很有营养。(I boil an egg for myself every morning because it is very nutritious.)

Beyond the simple act of boiling, the phrase carries cultural weight. In China, eggs symbolize life and renewal. During birthdays or the arrival of a new baby, red-dyed boiled eggs (红鸡蛋) are often distributed to friends and neighbors. While the dyeing process makes them 'red eggs', the fundamental preparation is still 煮鸡蛋. Therefore, the term bridges the gap between basic survival cooking and deep-rooted traditional celebrations.

Culinary Technique: The verb 煮 (zhǔ) implies submerging the item in liquid and heating it. This distinguishes it from 蒸 (zhēng - to steam), which is another common way to cook eggs in China (as in 蒸水蛋, steamed egg custard).

水开后，把鸡蛋放进去煮十分钟。(After the water boils, put the eggs in and boil them for ten minutes.)

When you visit a Chinese 'Breakfast Shop' (早餐店), you might see large pots filled with dark, fragrant liquid. These are often 茶叶蛋 (cháyè dàn), or tea eggs. While they have a specific name, the process of making them is essentially a two-stage 煮鸡蛋 process: first boiling them in water, then simmering them in a tea and spice mixture. Understanding the base term allows you to navigate these more complex culinary variations with ease.

Using 煮鸡蛋 correctly requires an understanding of Chinese verb-object structures. In Chinese, the verb 煮 (to boil) and the object 鸡蛋 (egg) can function together as a compound noun or as an active verb phrase. This flexibility is key to sounding natural. Whether you are ordering at a restaurant or describing your morning routine, the placement of the word determines its grammatical function.

As an Active Verb: When used as a verb, you can add durations or specific instructions between the verb and the object. For example, '煮三个鸡蛋' (boil three eggs) or '煮一会儿鸡蛋' (boil eggs for a while).

你在做什么？我在煮鸡蛋呢。(What are you doing? I am boiling eggs.)

One common pattern is the use of '给' (gěi) to indicate who the eggs are being boiled for. '我给孩子煮鸡蛋' (I am boiling eggs for the child). Another important aspect is the resultative complement. If you want to say the eggs are finished boiling, you would say '煮好了' (boiled and ready). So, '鸡蛋煮好了' means the boiled eggs are ready to eat.

As a Noun Phrase: When referring to the food item itself, '煮鸡蛋' acts as a noun. You can say '我喜欢吃煮鸡蛋' (I like eating boiled eggs). Here, '煮' acts as a modifier for '鸡蛋'.

这个煮鸡蛋太硬了，我不喜欢。(This boiled egg is too hard; I don't like it.)

Finally, consider the context of 'soft-boiled' vs 'hard-boiled'. While '煮鸡蛋' is the general term, you can use '糖心蛋' (tángxīndàn) for soft-boiled eggs with a runny yolk, or '全熟鸡蛋' (quánshú jīdàn) for fully hard-boiled eggs. However, in casual conversation, most people just say '煮鸡蛋' and specify the time if they have a preference.

If you are traveling in China or living in a Chinese-speaking community, 煮鸡蛋 is a word that will greet your ears frequently in the early hours of the day. From the bustling morning markets to the quiet kitchens of apartments, it is a sound of the morning routine. You will hear it most often in environments related to food preparation, health, and family care.

At the Breakfast Stall (早餐摊): Street vendors selling baozi (steamed buns) and soy milk often have a side of boiled eggs. You might hear a customer say, '老板，来两个煮鸡蛋！' (Boss, give me two boiled eggs!).

老板，我要一个包子和一个煮鸡蛋。(Boss, I want one bun and one boiled egg.)

In health-conscious circles, particularly among the younger generation hitting the gym, 煮鸡蛋 is frequently discussed as a primary source of protein. You might hear people at the fitness center talking about their 'fitness meals' (健身餐), where boiled eggs are a central component. They might discuss how many 'egg whites' (蛋白, dànbái) they ate from their boiled eggs to avoid the cholesterol in the yolk.

Family Conversations: Grandparents are notorious for making sure children eat enough. You'll often hear, '乖，快把这个煮鸡蛋吃了。' (Be good, eat this boiled egg quickly.). It's a sign of care and nourishment in Chinese culture.

妈妈，明早我想吃煮鸡蛋。(Mom, I want to eat boiled eggs tomorrow morning.)

Lastly, in school settings, especially during exam seasons, '煮鸡蛋' might come up in discussions about 'brain food'. Parents often prepare boiled eggs for students to ensure they have the energy to focus on their studies. It is seen as the ultimate 'simple but effective' meal.

While 煮鸡蛋 seems straightforward, there are several linguistic and cultural traps that English speakers often fall into. These mistakes usually involve confusing cooking methods, incorrect measure words, or unnatural sentence structures. Understanding these pitfalls will help you transition from a beginner to a more fluent speaker.

Confusing 'Boil' (煮) with Other Methods: A common mistake is using 煮 when you actually mean 炒 (chǎo - stir-fry) or 煎 (jiān - pan-fry). If you want a fried egg (sunny side up), don't say 煮鸡蛋; say 煎鸡蛋 (jiān jīdàn).

错误 (Wrong): 我想吃一个煮鸡蛋。(When you actually want a fried egg.)

Another error is the measure word. In English, we say 'a boiled egg'. In Chinese, you must use the measure word '个' (gè) between the number and the noun. Saying '一煮鸡蛋' (yī zhǔ jīdàn) is grammatically incorrect. It must be '一个煮鸡蛋' (yī gè zhǔ jīdàn). This is a very common beginner mistake that stems from direct translation.

Incorrect Verb Placement: English speakers often try to say 'The egg is boiling' as '鸡蛋是煮的'. While technically understandable, it sounds very stiff. It's more natural to say '鸡蛋正在煮' (The egg is currently boiling) or '锅里在煮鸡蛋' (There are eggs boiling in the pot).

正确 (Correct): 锅里正在煮鸡蛋。(Eggs are currently being boiled in the pot.)

Finally, be careful with the word 蛋 (dàn). While '鸡蛋' specifically means chicken egg, if you just say '煮蛋' (zhǔ dàn), it is a bit too abbreviated for casual speech. It's always better to use the full '煮鸡蛋' unless you are looking at a menu that uses shorter terms for space.

While 煮鸡蛋 is the most common way to describe boiling eggs, Chinese cuisine has a rich vocabulary for eggs cooked in various ways. Knowing these alternatives will help you be more precise in your descriptions and better understand menus and recipes.

茶叶蛋 (Cháyè dàn): Comparison: These are boiled eggs that have been cracked and simmered in tea and spices. While they are a type of 煮鸡蛋, they have a distinct brown marbled appearance and a savory flavor.
煎蛋 (Jiān dàn): Comparison: This refers to a fried egg, usually cooked in a pan with a little oil. It is the most common alternative to a boiled egg for breakfast.

我不喜欢煮鸡蛋，我更喜欢吃煎蛋。(I don't like boiled eggs; I prefer eating fried eggs.)

Another interesting alternative is 荷包蛋 (hébāodàn). This can refer to a poached egg or a fried egg that has been folded over. In some regions, if you 'boil' an egg without its shell in water, it's called a '水煮荷包蛋' (shǔizhǔ hébāodàn), which is equivalent to a Western poached egg. This is a very important distinction to make if you are cooking for someone!

炒鸡蛋 (Chǎo jīdàn): Comparison: Scrambled eggs. Unlike the whole structure of a 煮鸡蛋, these are beaten and stir-fried, often with tomatoes or green onions.

比起煮鸡蛋，西红柿炒鸡蛋更受欢迎。(Compared to boiled eggs, stir-fried eggs with tomatoes are more popular.)

In summary, while 煮鸡蛋 is your go-to phrase for the simplest form of cooked eggs, being aware of 煎蛋, 炒鸡蛋, and 茶叶蛋 will make you much more proficient in navigating Chinese culinary culture and daily life.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, the character for egg was actually '卵' (luǎn), but '蛋' (dàn) became the common term for bird eggs in the Middle Chinese period.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒuː dʒiː dæn/

US /dʒu dʒi dæn/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'ji', with a secondary stress on 'dan'.

Rhymes With

苦 (kǔ) 五 (wǔ) 衣 (yī) 七 (qī) 慢 (màn) 看 (kàn) 站 (zhàn) 饭 (fàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as 'z' (zu instead of zhu).
Pronouncing 'dan' like 'dan' in 'Daniel' (it should be more like 'dawn').
Getting the tones wrong (3rd, 1st, 4th).
Merging 'ji' and 'dan' into one syllable.
Mispronouncing 'u' as 'ü' (zhü instead of zhu).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and common.

Writing 3/5

Writing '蛋' can be a bit tricky for beginners due to the strokes.

Speaking 2/5

The tones are distinct (3, 1, 4), making it easier to pronounce clearly.

Listening 2/5

It's a very common phrase, so it's easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

鸡蛋水吃好

Learn Next

煎蛋炒蛋早餐牛奶面包

Advanced

烹饪蛋白质胆固醇火候营养价值

Grammar to Know

Measure Words

一个鸡蛋 (One egg) - '个' is the universal measure word.

Verb-Object Phrases

煮 (Verb) + 鸡蛋 (Object).

Resultative Complements

煮熟 (Boiled until cooked).

Duration of Action

煮了十分钟 (Boiled for ten minutes).

The 'Ba' Construction

把鸡蛋煮了 (Take the egg and boil it).

Examples by Level

我吃煮鸡蛋。

I eat boiled eggs.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure.

这是一个煮鸡蛋。

This is a boiled egg.

Using '是' (to be) to identify an object.

你喜欢煮鸡蛋吗？

Do you like boiled eggs?

Simple question using the particle '吗'.

我不喜欢煮鸡蛋。

I don't like boiled eggs.

Negation using '不'.

桌子上有一个煮鸡蛋。

There is a boiled egg on the table.

Existential sentence using '有'.

老师吃煮鸡蛋。

The teacher eats boiled eggs.

Basic SVO with a specific subject.

妈妈煮鸡蛋。

Mom boils eggs.

Here '煮' is the active verb.

早饭有煮鸡蛋。

There are boiled eggs for breakfast.

Using '有' to describe what is included in a meal.

我要买五个煮鸡蛋。

I want to buy five boiled eggs.

Using a number and the measure word '个'.

你会煮鸡蛋吗？

Can you boil an egg?

Using the modal verb '会' (to know how to).

煮鸡蛋需要十分钟。

Boiling an egg takes ten minutes.

Using '需要' (to need/take) for duration.

先煮鸡蛋，再喝牛奶。

First boil the egg, then drink milk.

Using '先...再...' for sequence.

这些煮鸡蛋很热。

These boiled eggs are very hot.

Using '这些' (these) and the adjective '热'.

她在厨房煮鸡蛋呢。

She is boiling eggs in the kitchen.

Using '呢' to indicate an ongoing action.

请给我一个煮鸡蛋。

Please give me a boiled egg.

Polite request using '请'.

超市里没有煮鸡蛋。

There are no boiled eggs in the supermarket.

Negation of '有' using '没'.

煮鸡蛋比煎鸡蛋更健康。

Boiled eggs are healthier than fried eggs.

Comparison structure using '比'.

如果你想减肥，就多吃煮鸡蛋。

If you want to lose weight, eat more boiled eggs.

Conditional sentence '如果...就...'.

我喜欢吃蛋黄还没熟的煮鸡蛋。

I like eating boiled eggs where the yolk isn't cooked yet.

Using a relative clause to describe the egg.

这些煮鸡蛋是谁煮的？

Who boiled these eggs?

The '是...的' construction to emphasize the doer.

虽然煮鸡蛋很方便，但我更喜欢吃面条。

Although boiled eggs are convenient, I prefer eating noodles.

Concessive sentence '虽然...但...'.

把鸡蛋放进冷水里煮，壳比较好剥。

Boil the egg in cold water, the shell will be easier to peel.

Using '把' construction for instructions.

因为我迟到了，所以没时间煮鸡蛋。

Because I was late, I didn't have time to boil an egg.

Causal sentence '因为...所以...'.

这个煮鸡蛋的味道有点咸。

This boiled egg tastes a bit salty.

Using '有点' to express a slight negative quality.

为了保证营养，医生建议每天吃一个煮鸡蛋。

To ensure nutrition, the doctor suggests eating a boiled egg every day.

Using '为了' to indicate purpose.

即使你不喜欢吃，煮鸡蛋对你的身体也有好处。

Even if you don't like it, boiled eggs are good for your body.

Using '即使...也...' (even if).

煮鸡蛋的时候，火候的掌控非常关键。

When boiling eggs, controlling the heat is very critical.

Using '...的时候' to indicate time.

他竟然一口气吃了五个煮鸡蛋，真让人吃惊。

He actually ate five boiled eggs in one go; it's really surprising.

Using '竟然' to express surprise.

除非你特别饿，否则没必要吃那么多煮鸡蛋。

Unless you are particularly hungry, there's no need to eat so many boiled eggs.

Using '除非...否则...' (unless... otherwise).

这种煮鸡蛋的方法是我从奶奶那里学来的。

I learned this method of boiling eggs from my grandmother.

Using '从...那里' to indicate source.

既然鸡蛋已经煮好了，我们就快点吃吧。

Since the eggs are already boiled, let's eat quickly.

Using '既然...就...' (since... then).

他熟练地剥开煮鸡蛋，露出了洁白的蛋白。

He skillfully peeled the boiled egg, revealing the snow-white egg white.

Using '地' to form an adverb.

在物资匮乏的年代，煮鸡蛋是难得的美味。

In times of scarcity, a boiled egg was a rare delicacy.

Using formal vocabulary like '物资匮乏' and '难得'.

与其吃那些油炸食品，倒不如吃个煮鸡蛋来得实在。

Rather than eating those deep-fried foods, it's better to have a boiled egg for something more substantial.

Comparison structure '与其...倒不如...'.

煮鸡蛋虽小，却蕴含着丰富的蛋白质和能量。

Although a boiled egg is small, it contains rich protein and energy.

Using '虽...却...' for contrast.

他对于煮鸡蛋的时间有着近乎苛刻的要求。

He has almost harsh requirements for the timing of boiling eggs.

Using '对于...有着...' to describe an attitude.

这道菜的配料极其简单，仅仅是一个煮鸡蛋而已。

The ingredients of this dish are extremely simple, just a boiled egg, nothing more.

Using '仅仅...而已' for emphasis on simplicity.

通过煮鸡蛋这件小事，可以看出他做事的细致程度。

Through the small matter of boiling an egg, one can see his level of meticulousness.

Using '通过...可以看出...' for deduction.

煮鸡蛋的壳如果裂了，味道就会大打折扣。

If the shell of the boiled egg cracks, the taste will be greatly diminished.

Using the idiom '大打折扣'.

他把煮鸡蛋切成薄片，整齐地摆放在沙拉上。

He sliced the boiled egg into thin pieces and arranged them neatly on the salad.

Using '把' construction with a resultative complement.

煮鸡蛋之于中国人的早餐，犹如同咖啡之于西方人的早晨。

Boiled eggs are to a Chinese person's breakfast as coffee is to a Westerner's morning.

Using the advanced analogy structure '...之于...，犹如同...之于...'.

即便是在这种高档宴会上，煮鸡蛋也以其朴素的姿态占有一席之地。

Even at such a high-end banquet, the boiled egg holds a place with its simple posture.

Using '即便...也...' and formal idioms like '占有一席之地'.

对煮鸡蛋火候的极致追求，体现了中国饮食文化中对食材本味的尊重。

The ultimate pursuit of the timing for boiling eggs reflects the respect for the original flavor of ingredients in Chinese food culture.

Complex nominalization and abstract vocabulary.

这枚煮鸡蛋承载了他童年时期对母亲最深切的记忆。

This boiled egg carries his deepest childhood memories of his mother.

Using '承载' to describe emotional weight.

剥开煮鸡蛋的过程，仿佛是在揭开一层层生活的真相。

The process of peeling a boiled egg is as if one is uncovering the truths of life layer by layer.

Using '仿佛' for poetic simile.

纵然世间美味无数，他最钟情的依然是那一枚简单的煮鸡蛋。

Even though there are countless delicacies in the world, his favorite remains that one simple boiled egg.

Using '纵然...依然...' for strong emphasis.

煮鸡蛋在中华民俗中往往被赋予了圆满与长寿的吉祥寓意。

In Chinese folklore, boiled eggs are often endowed with auspicious meanings of completeness and longevity.

Using passive '被' and high-level cultural terms.

他在文章中对煮鸡蛋的描写，细腻得令人叹为观止。

His description of boiling an egg in the article is so delicate that it is breathtaking.

Using the complement of degree '得' and the idiom '叹为观止'.

Common Collocations

煮一个鸡蛋

新鲜的鸡蛋

剥煮鸡蛋

热腾腾的煮鸡蛋

煮鸡蛋的时间

爱吃煮鸡蛋

给孩子煮鸡蛋

煮鸡蛋的壳

早餐煮鸡蛋

凉水煮鸡蛋

Common Phrases

煮鸡蛋剥壳

— To peel the shell of a boiled egg.

煮鸡蛋剥壳有个小技巧。

水开后煮鸡蛋

— Boil the egg after the water has reached a boil.

水开后煮鸡蛋，时间更好算。

煮鸡蛋过凉水

— Put boiled eggs in cold water (to make peeling easier).

煮鸡蛋过凉水，壳就不粘了。

一个煮鸡蛋

— One boiled egg.

我早饭只吃一个煮鸡蛋。

煮鸡蛋太老了

— The boiled egg is overcooked (yolk is too dry).

这个煮鸡蛋太老了，不好吃。

煮鸡蛋太嫩了

— The boiled egg is undercooked (yolk is too runny).

我不喜欢煮鸡蛋太嫩。

每天吃煮鸡蛋

— Eat boiled eggs every day.

每天吃煮鸡蛋对身体好。

煮鸡蛋的营养

— The nutrition of boiled eggs.

煮鸡蛋的营养保留得最好。

两个煮鸡蛋

— Two boiled eggs.

老板，来两个煮鸡蛋。

煮鸡蛋的技巧

— The technique of boiling eggs.

他有很多煮鸡蛋的技巧。

Often Confused With

煮鸡蛋 vs 煎鸡蛋

Fried egg. People often confuse the boiling (煮) and frying (煎) methods.

煮鸡蛋 vs 炒鸡蛋

Scrambled eggs. This involves breaking the egg, unlike boiling it whole.

煮鸡蛋 vs 蒸鸡蛋

Steamed eggs. This creates a custard-like texture, very different from a boiled egg.

Idioms & Expressions

"鸡蛋里挑骨头"

— To look for flaws where there are none (lit. looking for bones in an egg).

你别总是在我做的煮鸡蛋里挑骨头。

Informal

"杀鸡取卵"

— To kill the goose that lays the golden eggs (lit. kill the chicken to get the egg).

为了省事不煮鸡蛋而卖掉母鸡，真是杀鸡取卵。

Formal

"以卵击石"

— To kick against the pricks (lit. hitting a stone with an egg).

用煮鸡蛋去撞石头，无异于以卵击石。

Literary

"危如累卵"

— In a precarious situation (lit. as dangerous as piled eggs).

这些煮鸡蛋堆得这么高，真是危如累卵。

Literary

"覆巢之下无完卵"

— In a great disaster, no one can escape (lit. under a fallen nest, there are no whole eggs).

锅都翻了，锅里的煮鸡蛋哪能不碎？真是覆巢之下无完卵。

Literary

"闲得蛋疼"

— Extremely bored (slang, vulgar).

他闲得蛋疼，在那数煮鸡蛋呢。

Slang

"笨蛋"

— Fool / Idiot (lit. stupid egg).

你连煮鸡蛋都不会，真是个笨蛋。

Informal

"坏蛋"

— Bad person / Villain (lit. bad egg).

那个坏蛋偷了我的煮鸡蛋。

Informal

"滚蛋"

— Get lost / Scram (lit. rolling egg).

拿着你的煮鸡蛋滚蛋！

Slang

"糊涂蛋"

— Muddle-headed person.

他这个糊涂蛋，忘了锅里还在煮鸡蛋。

Informal

Easily Confused

煮鸡蛋 vs 煮

Often confused with other water-based methods.

煮 (zhǔ) is general boiling; 炖 (dùn) is stewing; 熬 (áo) is simmering for a long time.

我煮鸡蛋，他炖肉。

煮鸡蛋 vs 蛋

Could refer to any egg.

鸡蛋 is chicken egg; 鸭蛋 is duck egg; 鸟蛋 is bird egg.

这是鸡蛋，不是鸭蛋。

煮鸡蛋 vs 熟

Refers to being cooked or ripe.

In this context, it means the egg is no longer raw.

鸡蛋煮熟了。

煮鸡蛋 vs 嫩

Can mean young or tender.

For eggs, it means soft-boiled.

这个煮鸡蛋很嫩。

煮鸡蛋 vs 老

Can mean old or tough.

For eggs, it means hard-boiled/overcooked.

蛋煮得太老了。

Sentence Patterns

我吃 + [Food]

我吃煮鸡蛋。

我要 + [Number] + 个 + [Food]

我要两个煮鸡蛋。

[A] 比 [B] + [Adjective]

煮鸡蛋比煎蛋健康。

如果...就...

如果你饿了，就吃个煮鸡蛋。

为了...，S + V...

为了补充营养，他每天吃煮鸡蛋。

虽然...但是...

虽然我不爱吃，但是煮鸡蛋很有用。

与其...不如...

与其吃零食，不如吃个煮鸡蛋。

...之于...，犹如同...之于...

煮鸡蛋之于我，犹如同阳光之于植物。

Word Family

Nouns

鸡蛋 (chicken egg)

鸭蛋 (duck egg)

鹅蛋 (goose egg)

蛋壳 (eggshell)

蛋黄 (yolk)

蛋白 (egg white)

Verbs

煮 (to boil)

煎 (to fry)

炒 (to stir-fry)

蒸 (to steam)

剥 (to peel)

Adjectives

熟的 (cooked)

生的 (raw)

嫩的 (tender/soft)

老的 (old/hard)

早餐 (breakfast)

厨房 (kitchen)

锅 (pot)

水 (water)

营养 (nutrition)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life and culinary contexts.

Common Mistakes

我吃一煮鸡蛋。 → 我吃一个煮鸡蛋。
You must use the measure word '个' (gè) when counting objects in Chinese.
他在蒸鸡蛋。(When boiling) → 他在煮鸡蛋。
蒸 (zhēng) means steaming; 煮 (zhǔ) means boiling in water.
煮鸡蛋是我的最喜欢。 → 煮鸡蛋是我的最爱。
'最喜欢' is usually a verb; use '最爱' or '最喜欢的食物' as a noun phrase.
我煮了三个蛋鸡。 → 我煮了三个鸡蛋。
It's '鸡蛋' (chicken egg), not '蛋鸡' (which refers to a laying hen).
鸡蛋正在水里炖。 → 鸡蛋正在水里煮。
炖 (dùn) is for slow-stewing meat/soup; 煮 is better for eggs.

Tips

Verb-Object Separation

You can put numbers between the verb and object: 煮三个鸡蛋 (boil three eggs).

Red Eggs

If you see red eggs, it's a celebration! Don't be surprised by the dye.

Peeling Tip

Add salt to the water to make the 煮鸡蛋 easier to peel later.

Egg Types

Learn '茶叶蛋' (tea eggs) next, as they are a very popular type of 煮鸡蛋.

Tone Mastery

Practice the transition from the 3rd tone (煮) to the 1st tone (鸡).

Protein Talk

Use '煮鸡蛋' when talking about fitness and protein (蛋白质).

Ordering

When ordering, just say '一个煮鸡蛋' – it's simple and effective.

Character Detail

Focus on the 'fire' radical in '煮' to remember it means cooking with heat.

Context Clues

If you hear '早饭' (breakfast), '煮鸡蛋' is likely to follow.

Soft vs Hard

If you want a soft yolk, tell the cook you want it '嫩一点' (nèn yīdiǎn).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'CHicken' (Ji) laying an 'egg' (Dan) into a 'JUice' (Zhu) pot to boil.

Visual Association

Visualize a pot of water on a fire (灬) with a white egg bobbing up and down.

Word Web

煮鸡蛋早餐水火营养剥壳

Challenge

Try to say 'I boiled three eggs for breakfast' in Chinese without looking at your notes.

Word Origin

The character '煮' (zhǔ) dates back to ancient Chinese, combining the 'fire' radical (灬) at the bottom with a phonetic component. '鸡蛋' is a literal combination of '鸡' (chicken) and '蛋' (egg).

Original meaning: To cook food using water and fire.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Eggs are a common allergen; be mindful when offering them to others.

In English-speaking cultures, boiled eggs are often associated with Easter or 'soldiers' (toast strips). In China, they are more of a daily staple often paired with congee or soy milk.

Red Eggs in 'Joy Luck Club' Tea eggs in Chinese street food documentaries The 'perfect egg' challenge in cooking shows

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a breakfast stall

老板，来个煮鸡蛋。
这个煮鸡蛋多少钱？
还有煮鸡蛋吗？
我要热的煮鸡蛋。

In the kitchen

水开了吗？可以煮鸡蛋了。
鸡蛋要煮几分钟？
帮我拿个鸡蛋。
我要煮三个鸡蛋。

Discussing diet

煮鸡蛋很有营养。
我不吃蛋黄。
每天吃一个煮鸡蛋。
煮鸡蛋比煎蛋好。

At a birthday party

这是红鸡蛋。
祝你生日快乐。
多吃点红鸡蛋。
红鸡蛋象征好运。

Asking for help

你会剥煮鸡蛋吗？
能帮我煮个鸡蛋吗？
这个鸡蛋煮熟了吗？
怎么煮鸡蛋才好剥？

Conversation Starters

"你早餐喜欢吃煮鸡蛋还是煎鸡蛋？"

"你觉得煮鸡蛋煮几分钟最好吃？"

"你知道怎么让煮鸡蛋的壳更好剥吗？"

"你小时候过生日会吃红鸡蛋吗？"

"你觉得每天吃一个煮鸡蛋健康吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述你今天早上的早餐，里面有煮鸡蛋吗？

写一写你第一次学习煮鸡蛋的经历。

你更喜欢软一点的煮鸡蛋还是硬一点的？为什么？

在中国文化中，煮鸡蛋有哪些特殊的意义？

如果你要教一个朋友煮鸡蛋，你会怎么说？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can say '全熟煮鸡蛋' (quánshú zhǔ jīdàn) or simply '煮老的鸡蛋' (zhǔ lǎo de jīdàn).

The most common term is '糖心蛋' (tángxīndàn), which literally means 'sugar heart egg' because of the runny center.

The most common measure word is '个' (gè). Example: 一个煮鸡蛋.

It can be both. As a verb: '我在煮鸡蛋' (I am boiling eggs). As a noun: '这是一个煮鸡蛋' (This is a boiled egg).

They are called '红鸡蛋' (hóng jīdàn). They are dyed red to celebrate happy occasions like births or birthdays.

Yes, it is considered one of the healthiest ways to prepare eggs because no oil is added and nutrients are preserved.

Usually, people boil them for 8-10 minutes for a hard-boiled result.

Yes, it is an abbreviated version, but '煮鸡蛋' is more complete and common.

They are largely synonymous, but '水煮蛋' is more commonly used in Taiwan or formal menus.

You say '剥煮鸡蛋' (bāo zhǔ jīdàn).