Chinese Conversation · Level 29
90 words
Chinese word
味精
Pronunciation
Pinyinwèi jīng
Meaning
- nounMSG
Example
做菜时不要放太多味精。zuò cài shí bú yào fàng tài duō wèi jīng
Do not add too much MSG when cooking.
More examples
很多菜肴只用少量味精即可提鲜。hěn duō cài yáo zhǐ yòng shǎo liàng wèi jīng jí kě tí xiān
A small amount of MSG is enough to bring out the flavor in many dishes.
Core concept
A small amount of white seasoning that makes savory flavors stand out in a dish.
Common phrases
对味精过敏duì wèi jīng guò mǐn
allergic to MSG
不加味精bù jiā wèi jīng
without MSG
味精含量wèi jīng hán liàng
MSG content
Similar words
鸡精jī jīng: A chicken-flavored powder used to add savory taste and aroma to dishes.
调味料tiáo wèi liào: A general term for liquids, powders, and other products that add flavor to food.
酱油jiàng yóu: A dark liquid made by fermenting soybeans, used to add saltiness and color to dishes.
盐yán: A white crystalline seasoning used to give dishes a salty taste.
Definition in Chinese
一种以谷氨酸钠为主要成分的调味品，用于增强菜肴的鲜味，常见为白色粉末或颗粒，使用量通常较少。yì zhǒng yǐ gǔ ān suān nà wéi zhǔ yào chéng fèn de tiáo wèi pǐn yòng yú zēng qiáng cài yáo de xiān wèi cháng jiàn wèi bái sè fěn mò huò kē lì shǐ yòng liàng tōng cháng jiào shǎo
Word origin
味精 (wèijīng, "MSG") combines 味 (wèi, "taste") with 精 (jīng, "essence"), presenting the seasoning as a concentrated essence of taste.
Usage tips
- Restaurant orders often specify whether to use less or none, so quantity phrases are a practical way to express seasoning preferences.
Other meanings
- flavor enhancernoun
Opposites
- 天然调味料tiān rán tiáo wèi liàonatural seasoningnoun
Related words
- 味精颗粒wèi jīng kē lìMSG granulesnoun
- 味精粉wèi jīng fěnMSG powdernoun