Chinese word

主菜

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǔ cài

Meaning

  • nounmain dish

Example

你想点什么主菜？nǐ xiǎng diǎn shén me zhǔ cài

What main dish would you like to order?

Illustration for 主菜 (main dish)

More examples

服务员推荐的主菜很受欢迎。fú wù yuán tuī jiàn de zhǔ cài hěn shòu huān yíng

The main dish recommended by the waiter is very popular.

Core concept

The meal's central dish, set apart from what comes before or after it.

Common phrases

  • 推荐主菜tuī jiàn zhǔ cài

    recommend a main dish

  • 点一份主菜diǎn yí fèn zhǔ cài

    order one main dish

  • 主菜的口味zhǔ cài de kǒu wèi

    main dish flavor

Similar words

主食zhǔ shí: A basic meal food such as rice or noodles that provides lasting energy.
前菜qián cài: A small, light dish served first to start the meal.
副菜fù cài: A small dish that supports a meal with extra flavor and nutrients.

Definition in Chinese

一顿饭中最主要的一道菜，通常作为正餐的中心，不包括前菜或甜点。yí dùn fàn zhōng zuì zhǔ yào de yí dào cài tōng cháng zuò wéi zhèng cān de zhōng xīn bù bāo kuò qián cài huò tián diǎn

Word origin

主 (zhǔ, "main") identifies the central item, while 菜 (cài, "dish") identifies prepared food, so the compound names the meal's key dish.

Usage tips

  • 主菜 (zhǔcài, "main dish") does not have to contain meat, because a vegetable, tofu, egg, or seafood dish can serve as the meal's central course.

Opposites

Word lists with this word