中国美食
zhōng guó měi shí
China famous food · trad. 中國美食
中国美食 (Zhōngguó měishí) is a broad term referring to Chinese cuisine or delicious food from China. It encompasses the rich and diverse culinary traditions and often implies famous or highly regarded dishes.
When to use it
Neutral. It's a general term for Chinese cuisine. If you want to specifically refer to 'famous dishes', you might use 中国名菜 (Zhōngguó míngcài). For 'local specialties', you can say 特色菜 (tèsè cài).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “JONG-gwoh MAY-shir.” The first syllable of 中国 is a high, flat tone, and the second rises. For 美食, the first syllable dips and rises, and the second rises.
Other ways to say it
- 中国名菜zhōng guó míng càifamous Chinese dishes
- 中华美食zhōng huá měi shíChinese cuisine (more formal/cultural)
- 特色菜tè sè càispecialty dishes (often local)
Examples
我非常喜欢中国美食。
wǒ fēi cháng xǐ huan zhōng guó měi shí 。
I really like Chinese cuisine.
中国美食种类繁多，各有特色。
zhōng guó měi shí zhǒng lèi fán duō ， gè yǒu tè sè 。
Chinese cuisine has a wide variety, each with its own characteristics.
你尝过哪些中国美食？
nǐ cháng guò nǎ xiē zhōng guó měi shí ？
Which Chinese famous foods have you tried?
Pro tip: While often translated as 'famous food,' 美食 (měishí) literally means 'beautiful/delicious food' and implies gourmet or high-quality cuisine. So, 中国美食 means 'delicious Chinese cuisine' rather than just 'food that is famous in China.'
Related phrases
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