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March 24, 2026
豉shì(shi4)
The character 豉 (shì) refers to fermented soybeans, often used in Chinese cuisine as a flavor enhancer or condiment. It can denote both the fermented beans themselves and the products made from them, such as fermented bean paste, which is a common ingredient in various dishes.
Strokes11Radical豆Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese cooking, fermented soybeans are a staple ingredient, especially in the preparation of dishes like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱), a spicy bean paste essential in Sichuan cuisine. This highlights the importance of fermentation in enhancing flavors in Chinese culinary practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of soybeans (豆) wearing a chef's hat, as they have undergone a 'fermentation' (the radical 豕 suggests something related to food preparation). Picture them being salty and flavorful, ready to enhance a delicious dish, which will help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'shì'.
Meanings of 豉
shì(shi4)
primary
1fermented beans
2salted fermented beans
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About 豉
豉Simplified
11Strokes
豆Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 豉
Podcast: 豉
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AI Study Notes for 豉
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of soybeans (豆) wearing a chef's hat, as they have undergone a 'fermentation' (the radical 豕 suggests something related to food preparation). Picture them being salty and flavorful, ready to enhance a delicious dish, which will help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'shì'.
Usage Notes
豉 is often used in culinary contexts, particularly in southern Chinese cuisines. Be careful not to confuse it with similar characters that relate to other fermented products. The tone can be tricky; make sure to pronounce it with a falling tone (shì) to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 豉 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to related food terms at HSK Level 1 and 2, such as 豆 (dòu, bean) and 酱 (jiàng, sauce). Focus on practicing its pronunciation and usage in cooking contexts to build a relevant vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese cooking, fermented soybeans are a staple ingredient, especially in the preparation of dishes like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱), a spicy bean paste essential in Sichuan cuisine. This highlights the importance of fermentation in enhancing flavors in Chinese culinary practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 豉 with similar characters like 豆 (dòu, bean), leading to incorrect interpretations. Remember that 豉 specifically refers to the fermented product, while 豆 refers to the raw bean.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 豉
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Cultural Notes for 豉
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese cooking, fermented soybeans are a staple ingredient, especially in the preparation of dishes like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱), a spicy bean paste essential in Sichuan cuisine. This highlights the importance of fermentation in enhancing flavors in Chinese culinary practices.
Word Family of 豉
Words Containing This Character3
豆豉black bean
豉shìsalted fermented beans
蚝豉dried oyster meat蠔豉
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 豆豉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 豉
豉 is used in various dishes, especially in sauces and pastes like doubanjiang, which is essential in many stir-fries.
Yes, while 豉 specifically refers to a Chinese product, similar fermented soybean products are used in other Asian cuisines, such as miso in Japanese cooking.
