Chinese Character: 酱
1. Character Basics
Radical: 酉/yǒu radical (wine/liquid radical)
Stroke Count: 13
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiàng (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
sauce, paste, jam
4. Common Words
- 酱油 (jiàng yóu) - soy sauce
- 果酱 (guǒ jiàng) - jam
- 豆瓣酱 (dòu bàn jiàng) - broad bean paste
- 辣椒酱 (là jiāo jiàng) - chili sauce
- 芝麻酱 (zhī ma jiàng) - sesame paste
- 甜面酱 (tián miàn jiàng) - sweet bean paste
5. Grammar & Usage
"酱" is primarily used as a noun to refer to various types of thick liquid or semi-solid condiments made from fermented ingredients.
When used as a suffix, it can be added to ingredients to indicate a sauce made from them, as in "番茄酱" (ketchup) and "果酱" (jam).
In daily conversation, it is commonly used in compound words rather than alone. For example, you would say "酱油" (soy sauce) instead of just "酱".
In some regional dialects or internet slang, "酱" can also be used as an adjective or endearment, but this is less common in standard Mandarin.
6. Cultural Background
Sauce-making has a long history in Chinese cuisine, dating back thousands of years. The character "酱" reflects this culinary tradition.
Soy sauce (酱油), one of the most common sauces in Chinese cooking, has been produced since the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE). It is made from fermented soybeans and wheat.
Different regions of China have their own unique types of sauces. For example, Sichuan is famous for its spicy chili sauces, while Guangdong is known for its oyster sauce and hoisin sauce.
In Chinese culture, the ability to make good sauces is considered an important skill in cooking. Many families have their own secret recipes for special sauces passed down through generations.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 请给我一些酱油，这道菜需要提味。
Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ yīxiē jiàngyóu, zhè dào cài xūyào tí wèi.
Translation: Please give me some soy sauce, this dish needs more flavor.
8. Memory Tips
The character "酱" consists of two parts: the radical "酉" (yǒu) on the left, which means "wine" or "liquid", and "将" (jiāng) on the right.
The radical "酉" suggests that this character is related to fermented or liquid substances, which fits with its meaning of "sauce" or "paste".
To remember this character, think of "将" (jiāng) adding something to "酉" (wine) to make a sauce. The pronunciation "jiàng" is similar to "将" but with a fourth tone instead of a first tone.