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B1 verb 10 min read

煮熟

zhǔ shú

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 煮熟 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 煮熟 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '煮' (zhǔ) means to boil or cook in water, and '熟' (shú) means done or cooked. When you put them together as '煮熟', you are saying that the food is ready to eat after being in hot water. You might use this in very simple sentences like '煮熟鸡蛋' (cook the egg). It is one of the first 'result' words you learn because eating is such a common topic. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember that '煮熟' means the food is no longer raw. Think of it as 'Cooked + Done'. You will see this on menus or hear it when someone is helping you with a simple meal. It is a very practical word for daily life in a Chinese-speaking environment.

At the A2 level, you start using '煮熟' with the '了' (le) particle to show that an action is finished. For example, '鸡蛋煮熟了' (The egg is cooked). You also begin to see the '把' (bǎ) construction, which is very common with cooking verbs. '把肉煮熟' (Take the meat and boil it until cooked). At this level, you should be able to distinguish '煮熟' from other simple actions like '洗' (wash) or '切' (cut). You are beginning to understand that Chinese verbs often come in pairs: the action (boil) and the result (cooked). If you just say '我煮肉', your Chinese friend might ask, '煮熟了吗？' because the result is what matters for safety and taste. You should practice asking simple questions like '这个要煮多久才能煮熟？' (How long does this need to boil to be cooked?).

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '煮熟' (zhǔ shú) correctly in various sentence structures, including the potential complement. This means you can say '煮得熟' (can be cooked) or '煮不熟' (cannot be cooked). For example, '火力太小，肉煮不熟' (The fire is too low, the meat won't cook through). You also use '煮熟' as a condition in more complex sentences: '等水开了，把饺子放进去，煮熟就可以吃了' (Wait for the water to boil, put the dumplings in, and once they are cooked, you can eat). You understand that '煮熟' is a specific culinary technique (boiling) and you don't use it for frying or baking. You can follow basic recipes in Chinese that use this term as a standard instruction. You are also becoming aware of the importance of '熟' in food safety contexts.

At the B2 level, your use of '煮熟' should be fluid and natural. You understand the nuances between '煮熟' and its synonyms like '炖熟' (stewed) or '熬熟' (simmered). you can use '煮熟' in passive sentences: '肉被煮熟了' (The meat was boiled cooked). You also start to encounter the word in idiomatic expressions or more abstract contexts. For instance, you might understand the cultural implication of '煮熟的鸭子飞了' (a metaphor for losing a sure thing). You can explain the process of cooking a complex dish using '煮熟' as one of many steps, and you can give precise advice on cooking times and methods. Your vocabulary is expanding to include adverbs like '彻底' (thoroughly) or '充分' (sufficiently) to modify '煮熟', showing a higher level of descriptive ability.

At the C1 level, '煮熟' is a basic tool in your linguistic kit that you use without thinking. You can appreciate the technical differences in professional culinary texts, where '煮熟' might be contrasted with '半生不熟' (half-cooked/medium-rare). You can engage in deep discussions about food culture, hygiene standards, and the history of Chinese cooking, using '煮熟' accurately within those contexts. You are also sensitive to regional variations in how the word might be used or substituted. You can use the word metaphorically to describe situations that are 'fully prepared' or 'settled,' even if '成熟' is more common for that purpose. Your ability to use resultative complements like '熟' is a sign of your mastery over Chinese verb logic, allowing you to construct sophisticated, multi-layered sentences.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '煮熟' and can use it in any context, from a casual kitchen conversation to a formal scientific report on food chemistry. You understand the etymology of the characters—how '煮' and '熟' both contain the fire radical (灬), reflecting the ancient Chinese focus on heat-transformed food. You can use the term in creative writing or high-level academic discourse. You might analyze how the concept of '煮熟' reflects broader Chinese philosophical ideas about the transformation of the 'raw' (生) into the 'civilized' or 'processed' (熟). You are fully aware of all idiomatic and metaphorical uses and can use them with the correct tone and register. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool you use to navigate the intricacies of the Chinese language and culture.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

煮熟 in 30 Seconds

煮熟 (zhǔ shú) means to boil food until it is fully cooked and ready to eat.
It is a resultative verb combining the action 'to boil' with the result 'cooked'.
It is essential for food safety and is a core term in Chinese culinary instructions.
Commonly used with '把' (bǎ) and '了' (le) to show the completion of cooking.

The term 煮熟 (zhǔ shú) is a quintessential resultative verb construction in Chinese, combining the action 煮 (to boil) with the result 熟 (cooked/ripe). In the vast landscape of Chinese culinary linguistics, this word serves as a fundamental building block for describing the transition of food from a raw state to a safe, edible, and fully prepared state specifically through the medium of boiling water or liquid. Unlike English, where we might simply say 'cook the pasta,' Chinese often requires the speaker to specify the result of the action to ensure clarity. If you only say '煮' (zhǔ), you are describing the process; if you say '煮熟' (zhǔ shú), you are confirming the completion of that process.

Culinary Necessity: In Chinese culture, particularly regarding health and hygiene (养生 - yǎngshēng), the concept of eating 'fully cooked' food is paramount. You will hear this word constantly in kitchens, from street food vendors, and in health warnings. It signifies that the heat has penetrated the core of the ingredient, neutralizing bacteria and making fibers digestible.

你要先把这些土豆煮熟，然后再做成土豆泥。
(You must first boil these potatoes until cooked, then make them into mashed potatoes.)

Beyond the kitchen, the logic of 'action plus result' is a key feature of B1-level Chinese grammar. Learning '煮熟' helps learners internalize how resultative complements work. It isn't just about water; it's about the transformation. In modern contexts, it is also used metaphorically, though less frequently than '成熟' (mature), to describe something that has reached its final, usable state through a rigorous process.

Safety Context: When traveling in China, you might see signs or hear warnings like '肉要煮熟再吃' (Meat must be boiled thoroughly before eating). This is a standard safety precaution for foods like pork or certain wild mushrooms that require high heat to be safe.

鸡蛋煮熟了吗？我喜欢全熟的。
(Is the egg boiled cooked? I like them hard-boiled.)

The word is also essential when discussing time. Since boiling can take different amounts of time depending on the altitude or the toughness of the ingredient, '煮熟' acts as the target condition. Whether it takes five minutes or an hour, the goal is always to reach the state of being '熟'. This distinguishes it from '煮烂' (zhǔ làn), which means to boil until mushy or falling apart, a common goal for stews and congee.

Using 煮熟 effectively requires an understanding of the '把' (bǎ) construction and the passive '被' (bèi) construction, as these are the most common ways to describe the manipulation of food. Because '煮熟' is a resultative verb, it often takes an object or follows the object in a disposal structure.

The '把' Structure: Subject + 把 + Object + 煮熟. This is the most natural way to give instructions or describe an action you performed. '我把面条煮熟了' (I boiled the noodles until they were cooked).

请把这些饺子煮熟。
(Please boil these dumplings until they are cooked.)

When asking a question about the state of food, you can use the '...了没有' (le méiyǒu) pattern. For example, '大米煮熟了没有？' (Is the rice cooked yet?). Notice that '熟' here acts as the adjective describing the final state, but '煮' specifies how it got there. This is more specific than simply asking '好了吗？' (Is it ready?).

In more complex sentences, '煮熟' can be used as a condition for the next step in a recipe. This often involves the word '后' (hòu - after). '肉煮熟后，切成小块' (After the meat is boiled cooked, cut it into small pieces). This sequence is vital for following Chinese recipes, which often emphasize the order of operations.

只有煮熟的豆角才没有毒。
(Only boiled, cooked green beans are non-toxic.)

Duration and Potential: You can also use the potential complement form: '煮得熟' (can be boiled cooked) or '煮不熟' (cannot be boiled cooked). This is often used when the heat is too low or the food is too tough. '这块肉太老了，煮不熟' (This piece of meat is too tough, it won't cook through).

Finally, consider the use of adverbs. You can say '完全煮熟' (completely boiled cooked) or '刚刚煮熟' (just boiled cooked). These nuances are important for textures in Chinese cooking, such as 'al dente' noodles or perfectly timed seafood. By mastering '煮熟', you gain the ability to navigate one of the most common physical transformations described in the Chinese language.

If you step into any Chinese household during meal prep, 煮熟 is likely to be part of the ambient noise. It is a 'kitchen word' first and foremost. Mothers will ask their children, '鸡蛋煮熟了吗？' (Are the eggs boiled yet?) as they prepare breakfast. In restaurants, especially those serving Hot Pot (火锅 - huǒguō), the word takes on a life-and-death importance. Waiters will often remind diners, '请确保肉煮熟了再吃' (Please make sure the meat is boiled cooked before eating) to prevent food poisoning from raw meat in the communal pot.

The Hot Pot Context: In a Hot Pot setting, '煮熟' is the signal to start eating. Because everyone is responsible for their own cooking, you will hear friends asking each other, '这个煮熟了吗？' or '还没煮熟，再等一会儿' (Not cooked yet, wait a bit longer). It is the verbal gatekeeper of the meal.

火锅里的牛肉很快就煮熟了。
(The beef in the hot pot was boiled cooked very quickly.)

You will also encounter this word in scientific or health-related contexts. Public health announcements during outbreaks of bird flu or other food-borne illnesses frequently use '煮熟' to instruct the public on safety. '禽类产品必须充分煮熟' (Poultry products must be fully boiled/cooked). In these instances, the word carries a tone of authority and necessity.

In the marketplace, specifically at wet markets (菜市场 - càishìchǎng), you might hear vendors selling '煮熟的玉米' (boiled cooked corn) or '煮熟的鸭蛋' (boiled cooked duck eggs). Here, it acts as a descriptor of the product's state—pre-prepared and ready for immediate consumption. This is a common way to sell snacks or staples that take a long time to cook at home.

他在街边买了一个煮熟的红薯。
(He bought a boiled cooked sweet potato on the street side.)

Lastly, in literature or storytelling, '煮熟' can appear in idioms or fables, such as the famous '煮熟的鸭子飞了' (The boiled duck flew away), which describes a situation where a sure thing was lost at the last moment. Understanding the literal meaning of '煮熟' (that the duck should be dead and immobile) is crucial to appreciating the irony of the idiom.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is treating '煮熟' as two separate thoughts rather than a single resultative unit. In English, we might say 'I boiled it and it's cooked,' but in Chinese, the result must be attached to the verb if the intention is to show completion of that specific method.

Mistake 1: Omitting the Result: Saying '我煮了鸡蛋' (I boiled the eggs) only implies you performed the action. It doesn't guarantee they are ready. If you want to say they are done, you MUST say '煮熟了'.

Incorrect: 我煮鸡蛋了，你可以吃。
Correct: 我把鸡蛋煮熟了，你可以吃了。
(I have boiled the eggs cooked, you can eat now.)

Another common mistake is confusing '煮熟' with other cooking methods. '熟' (shú) can be the result of stir-frying (炒熟 - chǎo shú), steaming (蒸熟 - zhēng shú), or baking (烤熟 - kǎo shú). Learners often default to '煮熟' for all cooking, but if you used an oven, '煮熟' is factually incorrect because '煮' specifically implies immersion in boiling liquid.

Thirdly, learners often struggle with the placement of the '了' (le) particle. It should follow the entire resultative compound: '煮熟了'. Placing it in the middle ('煮了熟') is grammatically impossible. Furthermore, when using the negative potential form, '煮不熟' (cannot boil cooked), the '不' goes in the middle, which can be counter-intuitive for beginners.

这锅水不热，面条煮不熟。
(This water isn't hot; the noodles won't cook through.)

Mistake 2: Confusing with '成熟' (Chéngshú): While '熟' means cooked, '成熟' means mature or ripe (like fruit on a tree or a person's personality). You wouldn't use '煮熟' to describe a person's character, even though both words involve '熟'.

Finally, don't confuse '煮熟' with '开' (kāi - to boil). '水开了' means the water is boiling (bubbling), but '食物煮熟了' means the food is cooked. You can have boiling water with raw food inside; the water is '开' but the food is not yet '熟'.

To truly master 煮熟, you must see where it fits in the hierarchy of Chinese cooking terms. While '煮熟' is the general term for boiling until done, several other words offer more precision depending on the amount of water, the heat intensity, and the desired texture.

煮熟 (Zhǔ Shú) vs. 炖熟 (Dùn Shú): '煮熟' is generic boiling. '炖熟' implies stewing or braising for a long time over low heat. Use '炖熟' for tough cuts of meat that need hours to become tender. '煮' is faster and more vigorous.
煮熟 (Zhǔ Shú) vs. 焯熟 (Chāo Shú): '焯' (chāo) means to blanch. Usually, you don't '焯熟' things; you '焯水' (blanch in water briefly) to remove blood or bitterness, then cook them further. If you say you '焯熟' something, it implies a very quick boil until just barely done.

这牛肉需要长时间炖熟，而不是快火煮熟。
(This beef needs to be stewed cooked over a long time, not boiled cooked over a high flame.)

Then there is 熬 (áo). This is used specifically for things like congee (粥) or traditional medicine. You '熬熟' a soup or porridge, implying a slow extraction of flavor. While '煮熟' could technically work for porridge, '熬' sounds much more authentic and descriptive of the process.

For vegetables, you might hear 烫 (tàng). '烫熟' (tàng shú) is often used for leafy greens like bok choy or spinach, which only need a few seconds in boiling water. Using '煮熟' for spinach might imply you overcooked it into a mush.

青菜只需要在开水里烫熟就可以了。
(Green vegetables only need to be blanched cooked in boiling water.)

In summary, while '煮熟' is your safe 'default' word for boiling anything until it is edible, diversifying your vocabulary with '炖', '熬', '焯', and '烫' will make your Chinese sound much more sophisticated and culinarily aware.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Both characters in '煮熟' have the 'four dots' radical (灬) at the bottom, which is a stylized form of '火' (fire). This visually reinforces the idea that heat is essential to both the action and the result.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒuː ʃuː/

US /dʒu ʃu/

The stress is slightly more on '熟' (shú) as it conveys the result of the action.

Rhymes With

五 (wǔ) 鼓 (gǔ) 主 (zhǔ) 图 (tú) 足 (zú) 族 (zú) 读 (dú) 毒 (dú)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as 'z' (zu instead of zhu).
Pronouncing 'sh' as 's' (su instead of shu).
Failing to perform the 3rd tone on 'zhǔ' correctly before the 2nd tone of 'shú'.
Confusing the tones: saying 'zhū shū' (flat tones) instead of 'zhǔ shú'.
Nasalizing the vowel too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderate in complexity due to the fire radical.

Writing 4/5

Writing '熟' correctly with all its components can be tricky for B1 learners.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once retroflex sounds are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Very common word, easily recognized in culinary contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

煮 (zhǔ) 熟 (shú) 火 (huǒ) 水 (shuǐ) 吃 (chī)

Learn Next

炖 (dùn) 蒸 (zhēng) 炒 (chǎo) 炸 (zhá) 火候 (huǒhou)

Advanced

烹饪 (pēngrèn) 发酵 (fājiào) 杀菌 (shājūn) 成熟 (chéngshú)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

V + 熟 (煮熟, 炒熟, 烤熟)

The '把' Construction

把 + Object + 煮熟

Potential Complements

煮得熟 / 煮不熟

Passive '被' Construction

肉被煮熟了

Aspect Marker '了'

煮熟了 (Action completed and state achieved)

Examples by Level

请煮熟鸡蛋。

Please boil the egg until it's cooked.

Verb + Resultative Complement (煮 + 熟)

肉煮熟了。

The meat is cooked.

Use of '了' to indicate a completed state.

这个没煮熟。

This is not cooked through.

Negation with '没' for past actions/states.

我要煮熟它。

I want to boil it until it's cooked.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.

面条煮熟了吗？

Are the noodles cooked?

Question form with '吗'.

把水煮熟。

Boil the water (until safe/done).

Note: For water, '煮开' is more common, but '煮熟' is used for food in water.

土豆煮熟了。

The potatoes are boiled cooked.

Noun + Verb-Result + 了.

煮熟要五分钟。

It takes five minutes to boil until cooked.

Using '煮熟' as a target state.

你要把猪肉煮熟再吃。

You need to boil the pork until cooked before eating.

把 construction + 再 (then).

这些菜已经煮熟了。

These vegetables are already boiled cooked.

Use of '已经' (already).

妈妈在厨房煮熟饺子。

Mom is in the kitchen boiling dumplings until they are cooked.

Progressive context (though '正在' is omitted).

煮熟的玉米很好吃。

Boiled cooked corn is very delicious.

Using '煮熟的' as an adjective.

面条煮熟了没有？

Are the noodles cooked yet?

A-not-A question style (...了没有).

别吃没煮熟的肉。

Don't eat meat that isn't boiled cooked.

Imperative '别' + negative adjective phrase.

饺子煮熟后会浮起来。

Dumplings will float after they are boiled cooked.

煮熟 + 后 (after).

我先把鸡蛋煮熟。

I will boil the eggs cooked first.

先 (first) + 把 construction.

如果肉没煮熟，可能会生病。

If the meat isn't boiled cooked, you might get sick.

Conditional '如果...就/可能'.

这种豆子很难煮熟。

These kinds of beans are very hard to boil cooked.

难 + Verb structure.

由于火太小，饭一直煮不熟。

Because the fire was too small, the rice wouldn't cook through.

Potential complement '煮不熟'.

请确认所有的海鲜都煮熟了。

Please confirm that all the seafood is boiled cooked.

Noun phrase '所有的...'.

把土豆煮熟，然后捣成泥。

Boil the potatoes cooked, then mash them into a paste.

Sequential actions with '然后'.

他把煮熟的鸭蛋切成了两半。

He cut the boiled cooked duck egg into two halves.

Resultative '切成了'.

这些面条只需要煮三分钟就煮熟了。

These noodles only need to boil for three minutes to be cooked.

Time duration + 就.

你觉得这些肉煮熟了吗？

Do you think this meat is boiled cooked?

Embedded question with '觉得'.

在高原地区，水不到一百度就开了，所以食物很难煮熟。

In high-altitude areas, water boils below 100 degrees, so food is hard to cook through.

Complex causal relationship.

为了安全起见，禽类必须完全煮熟。

For safety's sake, poultry must be completely boiled cooked.

Formal phrase '为了...起见'.

他能把这么硬的牛肉煮熟，真是个高手。

He can boil such tough beef until it's cooked; he's truly an expert.

Potential complement '能...煮熟'.

煮熟的肉类应该与生肉分开存放。

Boiled cooked meat should be stored separately from raw meat.

Passive/descriptive usage in a rule.

这锅汤已经熬了很久，里面的排骨肯定煮熟了。

This pot of soup has been simmering for a long time; the ribs inside are definitely cooked through.

Using '肯定' for deduction.

只有彻底煮熟，才能杀死这些细菌。

Only by boiling thoroughly until cooked can these bacteria be killed.

Only... then (只有...才).

虽然外表看起来好了，但里面还没煮熟。

Although the outside looks done, the inside isn't boiled cooked yet.

Concessive '虽然...但'.

煮熟后的蔬菜颜色会变得深一些。

After being boiled cooked, the color of vegetables will become a bit darker.

Change of state with '变得'.

煮熟的鸭子飞了，这让他感到非常沮丧。

The 'boiled duck' flew away (a sure thing was lost), which made him feel very frustrated.

Idiomatic usage.

这种野山菌如果没煮熟，会有剧毒。

If these wild mushrooms are not boiled cooked, they are highly poisonous.

Hypothetical condition with severe consequences.

实验证明，通过将样本煮熟，可以有效提取其中的成分。

Experiments prove that by boiling the sample until cooked/processed, the components can be effectively extracted.

Scientific/formal register.

他处理危机的手法，就像煮熟鸡蛋一样，耐心而有条理。

His way of handling crises is like boiling an egg—patient and methodical.

Simile using a common action.

即便是在这种极端条件下，他依然设法把食物煮熟了。

Even under these extreme conditions, he still managed to boil the food until it was cooked.

Concessive '即便...依然'.

由于缺乏经验，他总是掌握不好肉类煮熟的时机。

Due to a lack of experience, he always fails to master the timing of boiling meat until it's just cooked.

Complex noun phrase '...的时机'.

这些食材必须经过充分煮熟，才能发挥其药用价值。

These ingredients must undergo thorough boiling to unleash their medicinal value.

Formal '经过' + '才能'.

在那个饥荒年代，能吃上一口煮熟的红薯就是最大的幸福。

In those years of famine, being able to eat a bite of boiled cooked sweet potato was the greatest happiness.

Reflective/historical narrative style.

文明的进步，往往伴随着人类学会将食物煮熟的历史。

The progress of civilization is often accompanied by the history of humans learning to boil/cook food thoroughly.

Anthropological/philosophical register.

他那煮熟不烂的脾气，让周围的人都感到无可奈何。

His 'boiled but not softened' temperament (stubbornness) makes everyone around him feel helpless.

Highly metaphorical/idiomatic description of character.

此项政策虽已‘煮熟’，但在推行过程中仍需谨慎。

Although this policy is 'cooked' (ready/finalized), caution is still needed during the implementation process.

Metaphorical use in political/business context.

在某些极端烹饪流派中，‘煮熟’被视为对食材天然风味的某种破坏。

In certain extreme culinary schools, 'boiling until cooked' is seen as a kind of destruction of the ingredient's natural flavor.

Abstract discussion of culinary philosophy.

这种古老的仪式要求祭品必须被完整地煮熟，不得有半点生意。

This ancient ritual requires the sacrificial offering to be boiled whole until cooked, without a hint of rawness.

Ritualistic/formal language.

他试图在煮熟的真相中寻找被掩盖的谎言。

He tried to find hidden lies within the 'cooked' (processed/finalized) truth.

Literary/abstract use.

无论火候如何，煮熟只是第一步，入味才是关键。

Regardless of the heat control, boiling until cooked is only the first step; infusing flavor is the key.

Comparison of culinary priorities.

这篇论文的观点已经煮熟，只待最后的润色。

The arguments of this paper are already 'cooked' (fully developed), only awaiting the final polish.

Metaphor for intellectual readiness.

Common Collocations

彻底煮熟

完全煮熟

煮熟的鸭子

刚刚煮熟

还没煮熟

难以煮熟

煮熟后

被煮熟

煮不熟

煮熟的食物

Common Phrases

煮熟了

— It is cooked. Used to announce food is ready.

面煮熟了，快吃吧。

没煮熟

— Not cooked yet. A warning or observation.

这肉还没煮熟，不能吃。

煮熟吃

— Eat after boiling. A safety instruction.

这种菜要煮熟吃。

把...煮熟

— Boil [something] until cooked. The standard disposal structure.

先把土豆煮熟。

煮不熟

— Cannot get it cooked. Usually due to altitude or heat.

米饭怎么煮不熟？

煮得熟

— Can be cooked. Confirms feasibility.

这么小的火煮得熟吗？

煮熟的鸡蛋

— Boiled egg. A very common food item.

我早餐吃了一个煮熟的鸡蛋。

煮熟的肉

— Boiled meat. Refers to the ingredient state.

煮熟的肉更有嚼劲。

必须煮熟

— Must be boiled cooked. Emphasizes necessity.

海鲜必须煮熟。

快煮熟了

— Almost cooked. Indicates nearly finished.

饺子快煮熟了。

Often Confused With

煮熟 vs 煮开

煮开 (zhǔ kāi) means the water is boiling. 煮熟 (zhǔ shú) means the food is cooked. Water can be 'kāi' while the food inside is still 'shēng' (raw).

煮熟 vs 成熟

成熟 (chéngshú) is used for fruit ripening or people maturing. 煮熟 is specifically for the cooking process.

煮熟 vs 做好

做好 (zuò hǎo) is generic 'done cooking.' 煮熟 is specific to the boiling method.

Idioms & Expressions

"煮熟的鸭子飞了"

— A sure thing was lost at the last moment. Literally: A boiled duck flew away.

合同最后没签成，真是煮熟的鸭子飞了。

Colloquial

"生米煮成熟饭"

— What is done cannot be undone. Literally: Raw rice is boiled into cooked rice.

事已至此，生米煮成熟饭，只能这样了。

Common

"煮豆燃萁"

— Brothers fighting each other. Related to the '煮' (boiling) process.

他们兄弟俩为了家产煮豆燃萁，真让人心痛。

Literary

"熟能生巧"

— Practice makes perfect. Uses the '熟' (mature/practiced) component.

只要多练习，熟能生巧。

Formal

"面红耳赤"

— To be flushed (like something boiled/cooked) with anger or embarrassment.

他争论得面红耳赤。

Common

"烂熟于心"

— To know something by heart (thoroughly 'cooked' in the mind).

这段课文他已经烂熟于心了。

Formal

"深思熟虑"

— Careful consideration (thoroughly 'cooked' thoughts).

这是他深思熟虑后的决定。

Formal

"轻车熟路"

— To do something with ease because one is familiar with it.

这项工作他早已轻车熟路。

Formal

"耳熟能详"

— What's frequently heard can be repeated in detail.

这个故事大家早已耳熟能详。

Formal

"熟视无睹"

— To look at something but not see it (too familiar).

他对他妻子的辛劳熟视无睹。

Formal

Easily Confused

煮熟 vs 炖 (dùn)

Both involve water and heat.

煮 is faster boiling; 炖 is long-term stewing on lower heat.

煮面条 (zhǔ miàntiáo) vs. 炖牛肉 (dùn niúròu).

煮熟 vs 焯 (chāo)

Both involve boiling water.

焯 is a brief blanching; 煮熟 is cooking until done.

焯水 (chāo shuǐ) to clean meat.

煮熟 vs 熬 (áo)

Both involve boiling.

熬 is for thick liquids like congee or herbal medicine.

熬粥 (áo zhōu).

煮熟 vs 烫 (tàng)

Both use hot water.

烫 is very quick immersion for delicate items.

烫青菜 (tàng qīngcài).

煮熟 vs 蒸 (zhēng)

Both use water heat.

蒸 uses steam; 煮 uses direct immersion in water.

蒸馒头 (zhēng mántou).

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 煮熟了 + Object.

我煮熟了鸡蛋。

把 + Object + 煮熟。

把肉煮熟。

Object + 煮得熟 / 煮不熟。

这块肉煮不熟。

煮熟 + 以后/后，...

煮熟后，加点盐。

只有...才 + 煮熟。

只有火大，才能煮熟。

虽然...但...还没煮熟。

虽然煮了很久，但还没煮熟。

被动语态 (Passive) + 煮熟。

祭品已被完整地煮熟。

比喻用法 (Metaphorical).

计划已经煮熟了。

Word Family

Nouns

熟食 (shúshí) - cooked food

熟人 (shúrén) - acquaintance

熟手 (shúshǒu) - experienced hand

Verbs

煮 (zhǔ) - to boil

熟 (shú) - to ripen/cook

成熟 (chéngshú) - to mature

Adjectives

熟的 (shú de) - cooked/ripe

半生不熟 (bànshēng bùshú) - half-cooked

烂熟 (lànshú) - overcooked/thoroughly familiar

烹饪 (pēngrèn) - cooking

开水 (kāishuǐ) - boiling water

火候 (huǒhou) - control of heat

生 (shēng) - raw

锅 (guō) - pot

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and culinary contexts.

Common Mistakes

我煮鸡蛋熟了。 → 我把鸡蛋煮熟了。
You must use the '把' construction or put the object after the resultative pair.
水煮熟了。 → 水煮开了。
Water becomes 'kāi' (boiling), not 'shú' (cooked).
这孩子很煮熟。 → 这孩子很成熟。
Use '成熟' for people maturing, not '煮熟'.
我不煮熟肉。 → 我没煮熟肉。
Use '没' to negate a completed action or state in the past.
煮了熟。 → 煮熟了。
The particle '了' should follow the whole verb-result compound.

Tips

Resultative Complement

Always remember that '熟' follows '煮' directly to show the result. Don't put anything between them unless it's '得' or '不' for potentiality.

Hot Pot Safety

When eating hot pot with Chinese friends, wait for them to say '熟了' (shú le) before taking meat out of the pot.

Fire Radical

The four dots (灬) are essential. Think of them as the heat source under your cooking pot.

Specific Verbs

Try to use '炖' (stew) for meat and '煮' (boil) for noodles to sound more like a native speaker.

The 'Le' Particle

Adding '了' at the end (煮熟了) is the most common way to announce that dinner is ready.

Safety First

In China, '煮熟' is often synonymous with 'safe to eat'. Use it when asking about street food.

The Flying Duck

Use '煮熟的鸭子飞了' when you lose a sure deal. It's a very vivid and common expression.

Tone Sandhi

When 'zhǔ' (3rd tone) is followed by 'shú' (2nd tone), make sure the 3rd tone is deep and clear.

Opposites

Contrast '煮熟' with '生' (raw) to help remember the transformation process.

Menu Reading

Look for '熟' on menus to identify pre-cooked items versus those cooked to order.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'four dots' (灬) at the bottom of both characters as the flames of a stove. You need fire to 'boil' (煮) and you need fire to make it 'cooked' (熟). Two sets of flames mean the job is done!

Visual Association

Imagine a pot with four little flames underneath it and a perfectly cooked egg inside. The egg is '熟' because of the '煮'.

Word Web

煮熟 (boiled cooked) 炒熟 (fried cooked) 蒸熟 (steamed cooked) 烤熟 (baked cooked) 成熟 (mature) 熟人 (acquaintance) 熟练 (skillful) 熟食 (deli food)

Challenge

Go to your kitchen and identify three things that must be 煮熟 before you eat them. Say the sentences out loud: '我必须把[food]煮熟。'

Word Origin

The word is a combination of two ancient pictophonetic characters. '煮' (zhǔ) dates back to early scripts, consisting of '者' (zhě) for sound and '火' (huǒ/灬) for meaning. '熟' (shú) also contains the fire radical at the bottom, indicating its relationship to heat and transformation.

Original meaning: 煮 originally meant to boil or decoct. 熟 originally meant ripe (of fruit) and later extended to cooked food through the application of heat.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Always ensure food is '煮熟' when serving elderly Chinese guests, as they may have strong preferences for fully cooked, warm food for health reasons.

English speakers often use 'cook' as a catch-all term, but Chinese requires specifying the method (boiling) and the result (cooked).

煮豆燃萁 (Poem by Cao Zhi) 煮熟的鸭子飞了 (Common folk idiom) Li Ziqi's cooking videos (Frequent use of the term)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Kitchen / Cooking

把水烧开
把面煮熟
煮五分钟
熟了没有？

Restaurant / Hot Pot

肉要多煮一会儿
这个已经煮熟了
还没熟，别吃
服务员，火大一点

Health / Safety

彻底煮熟
预防食物中毒
生熟分开
高温杀菌

Market / Grocery

煮熟的玉米
熟食区
咸鸭蛋是熟的吗？
买现成的

Metaphorical / Idiomatic

煮熟的鸭子飞了
生米煮成熟饭
这事儿熟了
烂熟于心

Conversation Starters

"你喜欢吃全煮熟的鸡蛋还是半熟的？"

"在你的国家，哪些食物必须煮熟才能吃？"

"你会用煮熟的土豆做什么菜？"

"如果你发现餐厅的肉没煮熟，你会怎么办？"

"煮熟面条通常需要几分钟？"

Journal Prompts

描述你最喜欢的一种需要煮熟才能吃的中国菜。

写一段话，教别人如何把饺子煮熟。

你有没有遇到过‘煮熟的鸭子飞了’的情况？请描述一下。

讨论一下为什么在现代社会，彻底煮熟食物仍然很重要。

如果你在高原旅行，你会如何解决食物煮不熟的问题？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say '把米饭煮熟', although many people also use '蒸熟' (steamed) or simply '做好' (done) when referring to a rice cooker.

熟 is the state (cooked/ripe). 煮熟 is the action-result pair (boiled until cooked). You use 熟 as an adjective and 煮熟 as a verb phrase.

You can say '全熟的煮鸡蛋' (fully cooked boiled egg). A 'soft-boiled egg' is '半熟的煮鸡蛋'.

No. For frying, use '炒熟' (chǎo shú) for stir-frying or '炸熟' (zhá shú) for deep-frying.

The four dots (灬) represent fire. They indicate that the action involves heat or cooking.

Yes, but it's less common than '成熟'. It usually appears in specific idioms like '煮熟的鸭子飞了'.

You can say '煮太久了' (boiled too long) or '煮烂了' (boiled until mushy).

Technically no. For water, we say '煮开' (boil until bubbling/sterile). '熟' refers to organic matter becoming cooked.

No, for steak we use '几分熟' (e.g., 七分熟 for medium-well). '没煮熟' implies the food is unintentionally raw and potentially unsafe.

It means 'cannot be cooked through'. This happens if the heat is too low, the time is too short, or the item is too tough.