Chinese word

洋葱

Pronunciation

Pinyinyáng cōng

Meaning

  • nounonion

Example

妈妈切洋葱。mā mā qiè yáng cōng

Mom cuts onions.

Illustration for 洋葱 (onion)

More examples

我不喜欢吃洋葱。wǒ bù xǐ huān chī yáng cōng

I do not like eating onions.

Core concept

A buried, round bulb wrapped in edible layers, with a strong raw bite and a mild cooked taste.

Common phrases

  • 切洋葱qiè yáng cōng

    cut onions

  • 炒洋葱chǎo yáng cōng

    stir-fry onions

Similar words

葱cōng: A fragrant vegetable with a white lower part and long, narrow green leaves.
蒜suàn: A strong-smelling vegetable whose white cloves grow together in a group.

Definition in Chinese

一种常见的蔬菜，长在土里，通常呈圆形，由一层层外皮包住，生吃味道辛辣，煮熟后味道会变甜。yì zhǒng cháng jiàn de shū cài zhǎng zài tǔ lǐ tōng cháng chéng yuán xíng yóu yì céng céng wài pí bāo zhù shēng chī wèi dào xīn là zhǔ shú hòu wèi dào huì biàn tián

Word origin

The name joins 洋 (yáng, "foreign") with 葱 (cōng, "scallion"), marking this plant as a foreign member of the scallion family.

Usage tips

  • The sharp taste of raw onion is different from chili heat, so food descriptions can distinguish an onion's bite from peppery spiciness.

Word lists with this word