Chinese word

佐料

Pronunciation

Pinyinzuǒ liào

Meaning

  • nounseasoning

Example

这道菜少了点佐料，味道有点淡。zhè dào cài shǎo le diǎn zuǒ liào wèi dào yóu diǎn dàn

This dish is a little short on seasoning, so it tastes a bit bland.

Illustration for 佐料 (seasoning)

More examples

做菜时记得适量添加佐料。zuò cài shí jì de shì liàng tiān jiā zuǒ liào

Remember to add seasoning in moderation when cooking.

Core concept

A small supporting ingredient that lifts aroma and adjusts the taste of a dish.

Common phrases

  • 添加佐料tiān jiā zuǒ liào

    add seasoning

  • 拌入佐料bàn rù zuǒ liào

    mix in seasoning

Similar words

调料tiáo liào: Ingredients added during cooking to season food, including salt, oil, and sauces.
调味品tiáo wèi pǐn: Food products or additives used for giving a dish more flavor.
香料xiāng liào: A spice, herb, or similar ingredient used to give food a stronger aroma.

Definition in Chinese

用于辅助主味并增香或微调口感的调味品，通常用量不大，包含香辛料、香味油或调味液等。yòng yú fǔ zhù zhǔ wèi bìng zēng xiāng huò wēi tiáo kóu gǎn de tiáo wèi pǐn tōng cháng yòng liàng bú dà bāo hán xiāng xīn liào xiāng wèi yóu huò tiáo wèi yè děng

Word origin

佐 (zuǒ, "to assist") + 料 (liào, "material") forms a word for a material that supports a dish's main taste.

Usage tips

  • In cooking descriptions, this term can cover dry ingredients, scented oils, and liquid additions, so it does not reveal the ingredient's form by itself.

Other meanings

  • flavoringnoun
  • spicenoun

Opposites

  • 主料zhǔ liàomain ingredientnoun

Related words

  • 佐料包zuǒ liào bāoseasoning packetnoun
  • 佐料盒zuǒ liào héseasoning containernoun

Word lists with this word