菜肴 (càiyáo) refers to dishes or prepared food, particularly in the context of a meal. It encompasses a variety of culinary creations, often focusing on the main courses served at a banquet or gathering, highlighting the importance of food in social and family settings.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
càiyáo(cai4yao2) T4
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May 27, 2026
菜肴càiyáo(cai4yao2)
菜肴 (càiyáo) refers to dishes or prepared food, particularly in the context of a meal. It encompasses a variety of culinary creations, often focusing on the main courses served at a banquet or gathering, highlighting the importance of food in social and family settings.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, meals are central to social gatherings and family life, and 菜肴 symbolizes the importance of sharing good food with loved ones during celebrations and festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand banquet table filled with colorful dishes. The word 菜肴 sounds like 'say yow,' as if you're excitedly exclaiming about the delicious food spread before you. The character 菜 (cài) suggests vegetables or food, while 肴 (yáo) refers to cooked dishes, linking them vividly to the dinner table.
About 菜肴
菜肴Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 菜肴
Podcast: 菜肴
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AI Study Notes for 菜肴
Quick Contrast
菜 (cài) refers to vegetables or dishes in general, while 菜肴 (càiyáo) specifically emphasizes prepared dishes or main courses.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grand banquet table filled with colorful dishes. The word 菜肴 sounds like 'say yow,' as if you're excitedly exclaiming about the delicious food spread before you. The character 菜 (cài) suggests vegetables or food, while 肴 (yáo) refers to cooked dishes, linking them vividly to the dinner table.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 菜肴 with just 菜 (cài), which means 'vegetables' or 'dishes' more generally. 菜肴 is more specific and is used in formal contexts, such as during meals or culinary discussions. Be mindful of using this term to describe elaborate meals rather than simple snacks.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK 7, students should focus on using 菜肴 in contexts involving dining and culinary experiences. Connecting it with other food-related vocabulary, like 食品 (shípǐn - food products) or 餐 (cān - meal), can enhance your discussions about meals and dining.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, meals are central to social gatherings and family life, and 菜肴 symbolizes the importance of sharing good food with loved ones during celebrations and festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 菜肴 when referring to casual meals or everyday food, which can sound overly formal. For example, saying '我今天吃了菜肴' (I ate dishes today) should be corrected to '我今天吃了饭' (I had a meal today).
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 菜肴
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Cultural Notes for 菜肴
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, meals are central to social gatherings and family life, and 菜肴 symbolizes the importance of sharing good food with loved ones during celebrations and festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions about 菜肴
No, 菜肴 is typically used for well-prepared dishes, particularly in formal contexts, rather than casual or everyday food.
Yes, 菜肴 can be found in both spoken and written contexts but is more frequent in written or formal settings.
菜肴 refers to main dishes, while 小吃 (xiǎochī) refers to snacks or small eats.
