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March 24, 2026
饺(餃)jiǎo(jiao3)
饺 (jiǎo) refers to dumplings that are typically filled with meat and vegetables, often served during meals or special occasions like the Lunar New Year. They can be boiled, steamed, or fried, and are a staple in Chinese cuisine, symbolizing wealth and prosperity due to their shape resembling ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots.
Strokes9Radical饣Frequency#26490DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eating 饺子 during the Lunar New Year is a tradition that symbolizes good fortune and the coming of wealth, as their shape resembles ancient currency. Families often gather to make them together, reinforcing community and family bonds.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant dumpling filled with juicy meat, and think of 'jiǎo' as 'jowl,' the fleshy part of the jaw, reminding you of the meat filling. The character 饺 has the 'food' radical 食 (shí) at the top, indicating it's something you eat, while the bottom part sounds like 'jiao,' connecting it to the pronunciation.
Meanings of 饺
jiǎo(jiao3)
1dumplings with meat filling
2stuffed dumplings
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 饺
饺Simplified
餃Traditional
9Strokes
饣Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#26490Frequency Rank
Podcast: 饺
Podcast: 饺
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AI Study Notes for 饺
Quick Contrast
饺 (jiǎo) vs 包 (bāo) — use 饺 when specifically referring to dumplings, especially those with a filling, while 包 refers more generally to any type of wrapped food.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant dumpling filled with juicy meat, and think of 'jiǎo' as 'jowl,' the fleshy part of the jaw, reminding you of the meat filling. The character 饺 has the 'food' radical 食 (shí) at the top, indicating it's something you eat, while the bottom part sounds like 'jiao,' connecting it to the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
饺 is commonly used in both formal and informal settings, especially around family gatherings or festivals. A common mistake is confusing it with other types of dumplings; remember that 饺 specifically refers to the filled variety. Be mindful of the tone; it should be pronounced with the third tone (jiǎo).
HSK Study Tips
While 饺 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to food-related words at HSK levels 1 and 2, such as 吃 (chī, to eat) and 餐 (cān, meal). Students should focus on recognizing it in menus and conversations about food.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, eating 饺子 during the Lunar New Year is a tradition that symbolizes good fortune and the coming of wealth, as their shape resembles ancient currency. Families often gather to make them together, reinforcing community and family bonds.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 饺 as 'jiao' without the third tone. Another common error is using it interchangeably with other dumplings; remember that 饺 specifically refers to the filled dumpling, while other types may have different names.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饺
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Grammar Patterns of 饺
饺 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I like stew with dumplings. It really sticks to your ribs.
5
我最喜欢的食物是饺子 、 比萨饼和酸辣汤.
wǒ zuì xǐ huān de shí wù shì jiǎo zǐ、 、 bǐ sà bǐng hé suān là.
My favorite food are dumpnglings, pizza and hot and e sour soup.
Cultural Notes for 饺
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, eating 饺子 during the Lunar New Year is a tradition that symbolizes good fortune and the coming of wealth, as their shape resembles ancient currency. Families often gather to make them together, reinforcing community and family bonds.
Word Family of 饺
Words Containing This Character5
饺子jiǎozidumpling餃子
饺jiǎodumplings with meat filling餃
水饺boiled dumpling水餃
包饺子to wrap jiaozi (dumplings or potstickers)包餃子
蒸饺steamed dumpling蒸餃
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 饺子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 饺
饺子 (jiǎozi) is a general term for dumplings, while 水饺 (shuǐjiǎo) specifically refers to boiled dumplings. Both types can have similar fillings, but the cooking method distinguishes them, with 水饺 being softer and often served in broth.
饺子 are often served during celebrations such as the Chinese New Year, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. They are usually accompanied by a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil. Many families enjoy making and eating them together, making it a social activity.
饺 (jiǎo) refers to dumplings, typically stuffed with meat or vegetables. They are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, often enjoyed during festivals and family gatherings. 饺子 can be boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, making them a versatile food option.
To make 饺子 (jiǎozi), you start by preparing the dough and rolling it into thin circles. Then, you fill each circle with a mixture of ground meat and vegetables, fold them into a half-moon shape, and seal the edges. Finally, you can cook them by boiling, steaming, or pan-frying depending on your preference.
It is pronounced 'jiǎo' with a third tone, like a falling-rising pitch.
Yes, 饺子 can also be made with various vegetable fillings, catering to different dietary preferences.
饺子 (jiǎo) are typically thicker and have a more substantial filling compared to 馄饨 (hún tùn), which are thinner-skinned and often served in broth.
