Ketchup is a versatile, sweet-and-sour tomato sauce used globally as a condiment and cooking ingredient.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce.
- Popular condiment for fries, burgers, and more.
- Used in cooking and as a dip.
Overview
番茄酱（fān qié jiàng），英文为ketchup，是一种广受欢迎的调味品，主要成分是成熟的番茄。它通常呈浓稠的红色，味道酸甜可口。番茄酱的制作过程包括将番茄煮熟、过滤、加入糖、醋、盐以及其他香料（如洋葱粉、大蒜粉、丁香等），最后浓缩而成。它在全球范围内都非常流行，尤其在西式快餐和家庭烹饪中扮演着重要角色。
番茄酱的使用非常灵活，可以作为蘸料、拌料或烹饪时的配料。作为蘸料，它常与炸薯条、炸鸡块、汉堡、热狗等搭配。在烹饪中，它可以用来制作糖醋类菜肴，或者在炖煮时加入以增加风味和色泽。它也可以直接涂抹在面包、三明治或饼干上食用。
番茄酱最常见的食用场景包括快餐店（如麦当劳、肯德基）、家庭餐桌、烧烤聚会以及各种小吃摊。在西式早餐中，它也常与煎蛋、培根等一同出现。此外，一些中式菜肴，如锅包肉、红烧肉等，在改良或创新时也会用到番茄酱来调味。
番茄酱在口感和用途上与一些其他酱料有所不同。例如：
**沙拉酱 (Mayonnaise)**：沙拉酱的主要成分是油和蛋黄，质地奶白，味道浓郁，常用于制作沙拉或三明治，与番茄酱的风味和颜色都不同。
番茄酱的独特之处在于其酸甜平衡的口感和鲜艳的红色，使其成为一种用途广泛且受欢迎的调味品。
Examples
请给我一瓶番茄酱。
everydayPlease give me a bottle of ketchup.
厨师在烹饪这道菜时加入了少许番茄酱，以增加其色泽和风味。
culinaryThe chef added a little ketchup while cooking this dish to enhance its color and flavor.
孩子们特别喜欢用番茄酱蘸着吃炸鸡块。
informalChildren especially love dipping fried chicken nuggets in ketchup.
番茄酱的工业化生产始于19世纪末，极大地促进了其在全球范围内的普及。
historicalThe industrial production of ketchup began in the late 19th century, greatly promoting its popularity worldwide.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
来点番茄酱
Some ketchup, please.
番茄酱配薯条
Ketchup with fries.
挤一点番茄酱
Squeeze a little ketchup.
Often Confused With
Tomato paste is much thicker and more concentrated than ketchup, with a stronger, less sweet flavor. It's primarily used as a base for cooking, not as a condiment.
While 'tomato sauce' can sometimes refer to ketchup in English, it often describes a looser, less sweet, and less seasoned tomato preparation, commonly used in Italian-American cuisine (e.g., pasta sauce). Ketchup is specifically a seasoned, sweetened tomato condiment.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Ketchup is primarily an informal condiment. While it can be used in cooking, its direct application as a dip or topping is most common in casual settings. Avoid using it in very formal dining situations unless it's a standard accompaniment to a specific dish (like fries). It's widely accepted in family meals and fast-food environments.
Common Mistakes
Be aware that 'ketchup' is the most common English term; 'tomato sauce' can be ambiguous. Also, remember that while delicious, ketchup is high in sugar and sodium, so moderation is key for health. Don't assume everyone likes ketchup; some people find its flavor too strong or sweet.
Tips
Versatile Flavor Enhancer
Think of ketchup as a quick way to add both sweetness and tanginess to many dishes. It's a simple flavor boost.
Watch Sugar and Sodium
Many commercial ketchups contain significant amounts of added sugar and sodium. Be mindful of this, especially if you have dietary restrictions.
Global Fast Food Staple
Ketchup is almost universally recognized and used with fast food items like french fries and burgers across many cultures.
Word Origin
The word 'ketchup' likely originated from Chinese or Malay fish sauces ('ke-tsiap' or 'kecap'). It evolved over time, with tomatoes being added in the United States in the early 19th century, leading to the sweet, tangy condiment we know today.
Cultural Context
Ketchup's association with American culture is strong, particularly through its pairing with iconic foods like hamburgers and hot dogs. It represents convenience and a familiar, comforting taste for many, especially children.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'cat' wearing a 'chapeau' (hat) and dipping its paws in bright red ketchup! The 'cat-chapeau' sound is similar to ketchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions在中国，‘番茄酱’和‘番茄沙司’通常指的是同一种东西，都是指英文中的ketchup。但在一些语境下，‘番茄沙司’可能更强调其甜味和作为佐餐酱的用途。
番茄酱主要含有番茄中的维生素A和维生素C，以及提供能量的糖分。但由于含有较多糖和盐分，建议适量食用。
番茄酱可以搭配很多食物，比如汉堡、热狗、炸鸡、煎蛋、三明治，还可以用于烹饪一些菜肴，如糖醋里脊或番茄炒蛋。
未开封的番茄酱可以在常温下储存。开封后，建议将其放入冰箱冷藏，以保持新鲜度和防止变质，并尽快食用。
Test Yourself
我喜欢在炸薯条上蘸一点____。
炸薯条是番茄酱最常见的搭配之一，其酸甜口味能很好地中和油炸食品的腻感。
番茄酱的味道主要是：
番茄酱的主要风味特征是番茄本身的酸味和额外添加的糖分带来的甜味。
用 ‘汉堡’, ‘番茄酱’, ‘一起’ 组成句子。
这个选项清晰地表达了番茄酱和汉堡的搭配方式，符合日常用语习惯。
Score: /3
Summary
Ketchup is a versatile, sweet-and-sour tomato sauce used globally as a condiment and cooking ingredient.
- A sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce.
- Popular condiment for fries, burgers, and more.
- Used in cooking and as a dip.
Versatile Flavor Enhancer
Think of ketchup as a quick way to add both sweetness and tanginess to many dishes. It's a simple flavor boost.
Watch Sugar and Sodium
Many commercial ketchups contain significant amounts of added sugar and sodium. Be mindful of this, especially if you have dietary restrictions.
Global Fast Food Staple
Ketchup is almost universally recognized and used with fast food items like french fries and burgers across many cultures.
Examples
4 of 4请给我一瓶番茄酱。
Please give me a bottle of ketchup.
厨师在烹饪这道菜时加入了少许番茄酱，以增加其色泽和风味。
The chef added a little ketchup while cooking this dish to enhance its color and flavor.
孩子们特别喜欢用番茄酱蘸着吃炸鸡块。
Children especially love dipping fried chicken nuggets in ketchup.
番茄酱的工业化生产始于19世纪末，极大地促进了其在全球范围内的普及。
The industrial production of ketchup began in the late 19th century, greatly promoting its popularity worldwide.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
