A2 noun Neutral 1 min read

粽子

zongzi /tsʊŋ dzə/

Zongzi are traditional glutinous rice dumplings, especially popular during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Traditional glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in leaves.
  • Iconic food for the Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Available in sweet and savory varieties.

Overview

粽子,又称“角黍”、“筒粽”、“裹粽”,是中国一种历史悠久的传统节日食品。它主要以糯米为原料,用各种不同的馅料(如红枣、豆沙、鲜肉、蛋黄等)包裹在竹叶、芦苇叶或其他植物叶子中,然后通过蒸、煮等方式烹制而成。粽子的形状也多种多样,最常见的有三角形、四角形等。粽子不仅是中国端午节的代表性食品,在东亚和东南亚的一些国家也有类似的食品。

粽子通常作为节日食品,尤其是在端午节(农历五月初五)期间。人们会自己制作粽子,也会购买粽子作为节日礼物赠送亲友。在日常生活中,虽然不如节日期间普遍,但粽子也可以作为一种点心或主食食用。它常被用来祭祀祖先和神灵,也是家庭聚餐时常见的食物。

  1. 1节日庆典:端午节期间,家家户户都会制作或购买粽子,是节日气氛的重要组成部分。2. 家庭聚餐:逢年过节,家人团聚时,粽子常常是餐桌上的一道特色菜肴。3. 祭祀活动:在端午节祭拜屈原或祖先时,粽子是常见的祭品。4. 食品市场与商店:临近端午节,各大超市、食品店都会售卖各种口味和包装的粽子。5. 旅游景点:一些具有地方特色的粽子会成为当地旅游的特色食品。

与“粽子”相似但又不同的词语包括:

  • 年糕 (nián gāo):年糕主要在春节食用,是用糯米或大米粉制成的糕点,口感软糯,但形状和制作方式与粽子有很大区别,通常是片状或块状,口味也偏甜。
  • 月饼 (yuè bǐng):月饼是中秋节的代表性食品,形状为圆形,象征团圆。其馅料丰富,外皮酥软,与粽子的制作和食用场合完全不同。
  • 包子 (bāo zi):包子是一种带馅的蒸制面食,外皮是发酵的面粉,馅料可以是肉类、蔬菜等,但它没有叶子包裹,制作方式也不同,更偏向于日常主食或点心。

Examples

1

端午节快到了,我们开始包粽子了。

everyday

The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, and we've started making zongzi.

2

这款鲜肉粽选用了上等五花肉和糯米,口感丰富,香糯可口。

food description

This savory meat zongzi uses premium pork belly and glutinous rice, offering a rich and delicious flavor.

3

奶奶做的红枣粽子特别好吃,我最喜欢吃了!

informal

Grandma's red date zongzi is especially delicious; it's my favorite!

4

在传统文化研究中,粽子作为一种节令食品,承载着深厚的历史文化内涵。

academic

In traditional cultural studies, zongzi, as a seasonal food, carries profound historical and cultural significance.

Common Collocations

包粽子 to make/wrap zongzi
吃粽子 to eat zongzi
甜粽子 sweet zongzi
咸粽子 savory zongzi
糯米粽子 glutinous rice zongzi

Common Phrases

端午节吃粽子

Eat zongzi on Dragon Boat Festival

甜的粽子

sweet zongzi

咸的粽子

savory zongzi

Often Confused With

粽子 vs 年糕 (nián gāo)

Nian gao is a rice cake typically eaten during Chinese New Year, made from glutinous rice flour, and usually steamed or fried. Zongzi are wrapped in leaves and boiled or steamed, with a primary association with the Dragon Boat Festival.

粽子 vs 月饼 (yuè bǐng)

Yuebing (mooncake) is eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, is typically round, and has a pastry-like crust with various sweet fillings. Zongzi are leaf-wrapped, glutinous rice-based, and associated with the Dragon Boat Festival.

Grammar Patterns

粽子 + 是 + [形容词/名词短语] (e.g., 粽子是糯米做的。) [数量] + 个/只 + 粽子 (e.g., 我吃了两个粽子。) 包/做/吃 + 粽子 (e.g., 我们一起包粽子。)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Zongzi is primarily used in the context of the Dragon Boat Festival. While it can be eaten at other times, its strongest association is with this specific holiday. The term is neutral in formality but carries significant cultural weight.


Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse zongzi with other traditional Chinese festival foods like nian gao or mooncakes. It's important to remember zongzi's unique leaf-wrapping and glutinous rice base, and its connection to the Dragon Boat Festival.

Tips

💡

Enjoying Different Zongzi Flavors

Try both sweet and savory zongzi to experience the full range of flavors. They make a great snack or even a meal.

⚠️

Heating Zongzi Properly

Reheat cooked zongzi by steaming or boiling to maintain their texture. Microwaving can sometimes make them tough.

🌍

Dragon Boat Festival Tradition

Eating zongzi is a key tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival, commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. It's a symbol of cultural heritage.

Word Origin

The word 'zongzi' (粽子) comes from the character 'zong' (粽), which historically referred to a type of grain dumpling. The practice of wrapping food in leaves dates back to ancient times, with legends linking its origin to the commemoration of the poet Qu Yuan.

Cultural Context

Eating zongzi is a central tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival), celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This practice is believed to have originated from attempts to prevent fish from eating the body of the poet Qu Yuan, by throwing rice dumplings into the river.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'zong' (long) 'zi' (child) wrapped tightly in green leaves like a baby, ready for the Dragon Boat Festival race!

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

粽子最主要的食用时间是端午节(农历五月初五)。在这一天,人们会制作、分享和食用粽子来纪念屈原和庆祝节日。

粽子的主要原料是糯米。此外,还需要用竹叶、芦苇叶或其他植物叶子来包裹,并根据口味添加不同的馅料,如红枣、豆沙、肉类等。

粽子的口味非常丰富,主要分为两大类:甜味和咸味。甜味的粽子常加入红枣、豆沙、蜜枣等;咸味的粽子则常有鲜肉、蛋黄、火腿等馅料。

虽然端午节是粽子最主要的节日,但在其他一些场合,例如家庭聚餐、朋友聚会,或者作为一种特色小吃,粽子也可能出现。一些地区也会在其他节日或日常生活中食用粽子。

Test Yourself

fill blank

端午节的时候,家家户户都会包 ______ 来吃。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 粽子

粽子是端午节的代表性食品,所以这里应该填“粽子”。

multiple choice

以下哪种馅料是咸味粽子常见的?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 鲜肉

红枣、豆沙和蜜枣都是甜味粽子常用的馅料,而鲜肉是咸味粽子常见的馅料。

sentence building

请用以下词语组成一个完整的句子:粽子,喜欢,我,吃,甜的。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我喜欢吃甜的粽子。

这是最自然、最符合中文语法的句子结构。

Score: /3

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