Fun Fact
The '酱' (jiàng) in 芥末酱 simply means 'sauce' or 'paste', so it's literally 'mustard sauce'.
Examples by Level
请给我芥末酱。
Please give me mustard.
我喜欢吃芥末酱。
I like to eat mustard.
这个热狗有芥末酱。
This hot dog has mustard.
芥末酱有点辣。
Mustard is a bit spicy.
我可以加芥末酱吗？
Can I add mustard?
他不喜欢芥末酱的味道。
He doesn't like the taste of mustard.
我们家没有芥末酱了。
We don't have mustard at home anymore.
你想要芥末酱还是番茄酱？
Do you want mustard or ketchup?
Word Origin
借词 (jiècí) - loanword
Original meaning: 芥末 (jièmo) comes from Sanskrit 'mustard'
Indo-European (Sanskrit to Chinese)Cultural Context
<p>In Chinese cuisine, 芥末酱 (jièmojiàng) is often used as a dipping sauce, particularly for dishes like boiled pork belly or certain cold appetizers. It’s known for its pungent kick that can clear the sinuses! While less common than soy sauce or vinegar, it adds a distinctive flavor profile.</p>
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou say 'mustard' in Chinese as 芥末酱 (jiè mò jiàng).
Yes, 芥末酱 is quite common, especially as a condiment for dishes like dumplings or cold noodles.
When people say 芥末酱, they usually mean a spicy, pungent mustard, similar to English mustard or wasabi, rather than a milder yellow American mustard.
While primarily used as a dipping sauce, 芥末酱 can also be an ingredient in some marinades or dressings to add a kick.
Yes, there are different types. For example, 'yellow mustard' is 黄芥末酱 (huáng jiè mò jiàng), and 'wasabi' is 绿芥末酱 (lǜ jiè mò jiàng) or more commonly 芥末 (jiè mò) alone when referring to the green kind.
芥末 (jiè mò) can refer to the mustard plant, mustard powder, or even wasabi. 芥末酱 (jiè mò jiàng) specifically means mustard sauce or paste.
You can say: 请给我一点芥末酱 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yì diǎn jiè mò jiàng). This means 'Please give me a little mustard.'
Yes, 芥末酱 in China is generally quite spicy and has a strong, pungent flavor that goes straight to your sinuses.
Common dishes include dumplings (饺子 - jiǎozi), cold noodles (凉面 - liángmiàn), and sometimes even with roasted meats or in salads.
Like most condiments, 芥末酱 should generally be stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerated after opening to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Test Yourself 6 questions
Imagine you're at a Chinese restaurant. You want to order a dish that usually comes with mustard, but you prefer it without. Write a short dialogue (2-3 sentences) with the waiter explaining your preference. Include the phrase 芥末酱.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
服务员，您好。这道菜通常有芥末酱吗？我不太喜欢，可以不要放芥末酱吗？ (Waiter, hello. Does this dish usually come with mustard? I don't really like it, can you not add mustard?)
You are describing your favorite dipping sauce recipe to a friend. Write 2-3 sentences about how to make it, mentioning that you always add a little 芥末酱 for an extra kick.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我最喜欢自己做蘸酱。我会加一点醋、酱油，再放一点芥末酱，味道特别好。 (I love making my own dipping sauce. I add a little vinegar, soy sauce, and then a bit of mustard, it tastes especially good.)
Write a short message (2-3 sentences) to a friend who is coming over for dinner. Ask them if they like 芥末酱, as you're planning to serve a dish that pairs well with it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你今晚要来我家吃饭，对吗？我准备做个菜，可能需要芥末酱。你喜欢吃芥末酱吗？ (You're coming to my place for dinner tonight, right? I'm preparing a dish that might need mustard. Do you like mustard?)
根据短文，以下哪种说法是正确的？ (According to the passage, which of the following statements is correct?)
Read this passage:
在中国的一些地方，吃饺子的时候，人们习惯蘸醋和辣椒油。但也有很多人喜欢用芥末酱来提升饺子的味道，尤其是吃海鲜馅的饺子时。这种吃法虽然不是最传统的，但越来越受欢迎。
根据短文，以下哪种说法是正确的？ (According to the passage, which of the following statements is correct?)
短文中提到，吃海鲜馅的饺子时，很多人喜欢用芥末酱来提升味道，并且这种吃法越来越受欢迎，而不是唯一的或最传统的调料。(The passage states that when eating seafood-filled dumplings, many people like to use mustard to enhance the flavor, and this way of eating is becoming more and more popular, not the only or most traditional condiment.)
短文中提到，吃海鲜馅的饺子时，很多人喜欢用芥末酱来提升味道，并且这种吃法越来越受欢迎，而不是唯一的或最传统的调料。(The passage states that when eating seafood-filled dumplings, many people like to use mustard to enhance the flavor, and this way of eating is becoming more and more popular, not the only or most traditional condiment.)
小王在选择芥末酱时遇到了什么困惑？ (What confusion did Xiao Wang encounter when choosing mustard?)
Read this passage:
小王去超市购物，发现货架上有不同种类的芥末酱。他看到有一种日式芥末酱，味道比较清淡，适合做沙拉。还有一种中式芥末酱，味道比较辛辣，通常用来搭配肉类或凉菜。他不知道该选哪一种。
小王在选择芥末酱时遇到了什么困惑？ (What confusion did Xiao Wang encounter when choosing mustard?)
短文描述了两种芥末酱的特点和用途，小王面临的选择是哪种更适合自己的需求。(The passage describes the characteristics and uses of two types of mustard, and Xiao Wang is faced with the choice of which one is more suitable for his needs.)
短文描述了两种芥末酱的特点和用途，小王面临的选择是哪种更适合自己的需求。(The passage describes the characteristics and uses of two types of mustard, and Xiao Wang is faced with the choice of which one is more suitable for his needs.)
根据短文，芥末酱在中餐和西餐中的主要区别是什么？ (According to the passage, what is the main difference in the use of mustard in Chinese and Western cuisine?)
Read this passage:
在一些西式餐厅，芥末酱经常作为牛排或热狗的配料。而在中餐里，它更多地出现在凉拌菜或蘸酱中。虽然用法不同，但芥末酱独特的辛辣味总能给食物带来惊喜。
根据短文，芥末酱在中餐和西餐中的主要区别是什么？ (According to the passage, what is the main difference in the use of mustard in Chinese and Western cuisine?)
短文明确指出，在西餐中芥末酱是配料，而在中餐中更多出现在凉拌菜或蘸酱中。(The passage clearly states that in Western cuisine, mustard is an ingredient, while in Chinese cuisine, it appears more in cold dishes or dipping sauces.)
短文明确指出，在西餐中芥末酱是配料，而在中餐中更多出现在凉拌菜或蘸酱中。(The passage clearly states that in Western cuisine, mustard is an ingredient, while in Chinese cuisine, it appears more in cold dishes or dipping sauces.)
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
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This Word in Other Languages
More food words
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
