Chinese word

原汁原味

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuán zhī yuán wèi

Meaning

  • idiomauthentic

Example

这家店的菜很原汁原味。zhè jiā diàn de cài hěn yuán zhī yuán wèi

The food at this restaurant is very authentic.

Illustration for 原汁原味 (authentic)

More examples

这道菜经过改良后仍然保持原汁原味。zhè dào cài jīng guò gǎi liáng hòu réng rán bǎo chí yuán zhī yuán wèi

Even after being improved, this dish still retains its authentic flavor.

Core concept

Food or culture kept close to its source, with its defining taste or character still intact.

Common phrases

  • 保持原汁原味bǎo chí yuán zhī yuán wèi

    preserve authentic flavor

  • 保留原汁原味bǎo liú yuán zhī yuán wèi

    retain authentic flavor

  • 原汁原味的菜yuán zhī yuán wèi de cài

    authentic-flavored dishes

Similar words

名副其实míng fù qí shí: Having the real qualities that its name or reputation promises.
货真价实huò zhēn jià shí: Containing what is claimed and being genuine rather than fake or watered down.

Definition in Chinese

用于形容食品或其他事物未经人工加工或添加，保持原有风味或特色，常用于赞扬地道性。yòng yú xíng róng shí pǐn huò qí tā shì wù wèi jīng rén gōng jiā gōng huò tiān jiā bǎo chí yuán yǒu fēng wèi huò tè sè cháng yòng yú zàn yáng dì dào xìng

Word origin

原汁原味 (yuánzhīyuánwèi, "original juice and flavor") combines 原 (yuán, "original") + 汁 (zhī, "juice") with 原 + 味 (wèi, "flavor") to present the source taste as fully preserved.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this word can praise a small local eatery or a traditional method, so it signals faithful character rather than expense, refinement, or high status.

Other meanings

  • original flavoridiom

Word lists with this word