Tomato is a versatile fruit, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking worldwide.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Common red fruit/vegetable, sweet and sour taste.
- Used in cooking, salads, and as a sauce.
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Overview
番茄（学名：Solanum lycopersicum）是一种茄科的草本植物，其果实通常呈红色，但也可能为黄色、橙色、绿色或紫色。虽然在植物学分类上属于水果，但在烹饪和日常生活中，番茄常被当作蔬菜使用。它在全球范围内广泛种植，是许多国家饮食文化中不可或缺的一部分。番茄的味道因品种而异，但普遍具有酸甜的口感，并且富含维生素C、维生素A、钾和番茄红素等营养成分。
番茄作为名词，指代这种植物或其果实。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合成词组。在句子中，番茄可以作为主语、宾语或定语。例如，它可以是句子的主题（“这个番茄很新鲜”），也可以是动作的对象（“我买了两个番茄”），还可以用来修饰其他名词（“番茄酱”）。
番茄在日常生活中非常常见。它经常出现在：
**健康和营养**：提及番茄的营养价值，如富含维生素和番茄红素。
与“番茄”相似但有区别的词语包括：
- 西红柿 (xī hóng shì)：这是“番茄”最常见的同义词，在中国北方地区尤其常用。两者在意思上完全相同，可以互换使用。
- 洋柿子 (yáng shì zi)：这是一个较为生僻的叫法，有时也指番茄，但不如“番茄”或“西红柿”普遍。
- 番茄酱 (fān qié jiàng)：这是由番茄加工而成的酱状调味品，是“番茄”的派生词，指代的是加工后的产品，而不是新鲜的果实。
- 樱桃番茄 (yīng táo fān qié)：这是一种小型的番茄品种，形状和大小类似樱桃，属于“番茄”的一个具体种类。
Examples
这个番茄沙拉非常美味。
everydayThis tomato salad is very delicious.
请在配料表中加入两个成熟的番茄。
cooking instructionPlease add two ripe tomatoes to the ingredient list.
他随手拿起一个番茄塞进嘴里。
informalHe casually picked up a tomato and popped it into his mouth.
番茄红素是番茄中一种重要的生物活性化合物。
academicLycopene is an important bioactive compound found in tomatoes.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
番茄炒蛋
scrambled eggs with tomato
番茄酱
tomato paste / ketchup
生吃番茄
eat tomatoes raw
Often Confused With
Both '番茄' and '西红柿' refer to the same fruit/vegetable. '西红柿' is more common in Northern China, while '番茄' is more widely used across China and is also the standard term in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
'茄子' (qié zi) means eggplant, which is a different vegetable. While both are in the Solanaceae family, they are distinct in appearance, taste, and culinary use.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '番茄' is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It's a common noun understood by all speakers. When referring to the processed product, '番茄酱' (tomato sauce/paste/ketchup) is the specific term.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '番茄' (tomato) with '茄子' (eggplant) due to the shared character '茄'. Ensure you use the correct character for tomato. Also, remember that while botanically a fruit, it's treated as a vegetable in cooking.
Tips
Think of 'Tomato' in Cooking
Remember '番茄' is used in many dishes, like tomato soup or tomato sauce. It's a kitchen staple.
Botanical vs. Culinary Use
While botanically a fruit, '番茄' is treated as a vegetable in most cooking contexts. Be aware of this distinction.
Global Food Staple
'番茄' is a globally recognized ingredient, found in cuisines from Italy to China and beyond.
Word Origin
The word '番茄' literally means 'foreign eggplant'. It reflects that the tomato was introduced to China from overseas, and its appearance might have reminded people of eggplants (茄子), another vegetable.
Cultural Context
Tomatoes are a staple in many global cuisines, including Chinese cooking where they are famously paired with eggs (番茄炒蛋). Their widespread availability and nutritional benefits have made them a common sight in households worldwide.
Memory Tip
Think of 'fan qie' sounding a bit like 'fun chew'. Tomatoes are fun to chew in salads and many dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions从植物学角度看，番茄是水果，因为它是由花的子房发育而来，并且含有种子。但在烹饪和营养学上，由于其用途和风味，它通常被归类为蔬菜。
在中国，“番茄”和“西红柿”是同一个东西的两种叫法，意思完全相同，可以互换使用。只是在不同地区，人们可能更习惯用其中一个词。
番茄的吃法非常多样。可以生吃，做成沙拉，也可以炒蛋、煮汤、炖肉。此外，还可以制作成番茄酱、番茄罐头等加工食品。
番茄富含维生素C、维生素A、钾以及一种强大的抗氧化剂——番茄红素。番茄红素被认为对心脏健康和预防某些癌症有益。
Test Yourself
我喜欢用______做炒鸡蛋。
番茄是制作番茄炒蛋的常见食材。
以下哪项不是番茄的常见用途？
虽然番茄味道微甜，但它通常不被当作独立的甜点糖果食用，更多是作为菜肴或调味品。
词语：番茄，妈妈，买了，超市，三个
这个句子结构完整，主语、谓语、宾语和数量词搭配合理。
Score: /3
Summary
Tomato is a versatile fruit, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking worldwide.
- Common red fruit/vegetable, sweet and sour taste.
- Used in cooking, salads, and as a sauce.
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Think of 'Tomato' in Cooking
Remember '番茄' is used in many dishes, like tomato soup or tomato sauce. It's a kitchen staple.
Botanical vs. Culinary Use
While botanically a fruit, '番茄' is treated as a vegetable in most cooking contexts. Be aware of this distinction.
Global Food Staple
'番茄' is a globally recognized ingredient, found in cuisines from Italy to China and beyond.
Examples
4 of 4这个番茄沙拉非常美味。
This tomato salad is very delicious.
请在配料表中加入两个成熟的番茄。
Please add two ripe tomatoes to the ingredient list.
他随手拿起一个番茄塞进嘴里。
He casually picked up a tomato and popped it into his mouth.
番茄红素是番茄中一种重要的生物活性化合物。
Lycopene is an important bioactive compound found in tomatoes.
Related Content
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.
