Chinese word

盐

Pronunciation

Pinyinyán

Meaning

  • nounsalt

Example

这菜太淡，再放点盐。zhè cài tài dàn zài fàng diǎn yán

This dish is too bland; add a little more salt.

Illustration for 盐 (salt)

More examples

加工食品通常含有较多的盐。jiā gōng shí pǐn tōng cháng hán yǒu jiào duō de yán

Processed foods usually contain a lot of salt.

Core concept

A white crystal seasoning that adds saltiness to food and can help keep food from spoiling.

Common phrases

  • 多放盐duō fàng yán

    add extra salt

  • 控制盐量kòng zhì yán liàng

    control salt intake

  • 补充盐分bǔ chōng yán fèn

    replenish salt

Similar words

食盐shí yán: Refined edible salt used for cooking and seasoning food.

Definition in Chinese

一种常见的调味品和保存剂，通常为白色结晶状，主要成分为氯化钠，用于烹饪中提供咸味并可用于腌制食物。yì zhǒng cháng jiàn de tiáo wèi pǐn hé bǎo cún jì tōng cháng wèi bái sè jié jīng zhuàng zhǔ yào chéng fèn wèi lǜ huà nà yòng yú pēng rèn zhōng tí gōng xián wèi bìng kě yòng yú yān zhì shí wù

Word origin

盐 (yán, "salt") is the simplified form of 鹽 (yán, "salt"), an older character that combines a vessel element with a sound-bearing element.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, amounts are commonly expressed with words such as 一点儿 (yìdiǎnr, "a little"), 一撮 (yì zuō, "a pinch"), or 一勺 (yì sháo, "a spoonful") rather than with a bare number.

Related words

  • 食盐shí yántable saltnoun

Word lists with this word