Chinese word

火候

Pronunciation

Pinyinhuǒ hòu

Meaning

  • nounheat level

Example

这道菜的火候还不够，要再煮一会儿。zhè dào cài de huǒ hòu hái bú gòu yào zài zhǔ yí huìr

The heat level for this dish is still too low; it needs to cook a little longer.

Illustration for 火候 (heat level)

More examples

在谈判中，他总能掌握火候，在合适的时候提出让步。zài tán pàn zhōng tā zǒng néng zhǎng wò huǒ hòu zài hé shì de shí hòu tí chū ràng bù

During negotiations, he always gauges the timing and offers a concession at the right time.

Core concept

The right stage reached by matching intensity with time as conditions change.

Common phrases

  • 掌握火候zhǎng wò huǒ hòu

    gauge the timing

  • 火候到位huǒ hòu dào wèi

    get the timing right

Similar words

火力huǒ lì: The strength of heat produced by a flame or other heating source.
加热时间jiā rè shí jiān: The length of time used to heat food until it is cooked.
温度wēn dù: The degree of heat in an object or place.

Definition in Chinese

指烹调中火力与时间的配合与掌控，以达到食材恰到好处的熟度和口感。zhǐ pēng tiáo zhōng huǒ lì yǔ shí jiān de pèi hé yǔ zhǎng kòng yǐ dá dào shí cái qià dào hǎo chù de shú dù hé kóu gǎn

Word origin

火候 (huǒhòu, "fire and the right time") joins 火 (huǒ, "fire") + 候 (hòu, "time or condition"), so a cooking term for controlling heat over time naturally extends to judging when conditions are ready.

Usage tips

  • For native English speakers, "heat" can suggest temperature alone, but this word also tracks how long heating continues and what stage the food has reached.

Other meanings

  • timingnoun
  • opportunitynoun

Word lists with this word