Japanese word

白菜

Pronunciation

Romajihakusai

Meaning

  • nounChinese cabbage

Example

鍋に白菜を入れます。nabe ni haku sai o i re ma su

I put Chinese cabbage in the hot pot.

Illustration for 白菜 (Chinese cabbage)

More examples

白菜は、炒めると甘みが増します。haku sai wa ita me ru to ama mi ga ma shi ma su

Chinese cabbage becomes sweeter when stir-fried.

Core concept

Refers to a soft-textured leafy vegetable whose pale leaves form a compact head and absorb the flavors of a dish.

Common phrases

  • 鍋に白菜を入れるnabe ni haku sai o i re ru

    put Chinese cabbage in a hot pot

  • 白菜を炒めるhaku sai o ita me ru

    stir-fry Chinese cabbage

  • 白菜の漬物haku sai no tsukemono

    pickled Chinese cabbage

Definition in Japanese

淡い色の葉が幾重にも重なった、くせが少なく煮物や鍋物に用いる野菜。awa i iro no ha ga iku e ni mo kasa na tta ku se ga suku na ku ni mono ya nabe mono ni mochi i ru ya sai

Word origin

白菜 (hakusai, "Chinese cabbage") is formed from 白 (haku, "white") and 菜 (sai, "vegetable"), describing the vegetable by its color and kind.

Usage tips

  • The English term Chinese cabbage can cover more than one related vegetable, while napa cabbage usually names the compact, pale-headed type.

Word lists with this word