Chinese word

芝麻

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhī má

Meaning

  • nounsesame

Example

他对芝麻过敏。tā duì zhī má guò mǐn

He is allergic to sesame.

Illustration for 芝麻 (sesame)

More examples

我喜欢在面包上撒芝麻。wǒ xǐ huān zài miàn bāo shàng sā zhī má

I like sprinkling sesame on bread.

Core concept

Tiny seeds that add a nutty flavor when sprinkled on food and can also become a smooth paste or cooking oil.

Common phrases

  • 芝麻油zhī má yóu

    sesame oil

  • 芝麻酱zhī má jiàng

    sesame paste

  • 白芝麻bái zhī má

    white sesame

Similar words

芝麻酱zhī má jiàng: A smooth, thick seasoning made from finely ground sesame seeds.
芝麻油zhī má yóu: Cooking oil made from squeezed sesame seeds, valued for its aroma and taste.
种子zhǒng zi: A small grain from which a new plant can grow.
调料tiáo liào: A substance added to food for flavor, such as a liquid, powder, or paste.

Definition in Chinese

小而扁、含油的可食用种子，既可作为撒料也可碾磨成芝麻酱或榨油，常见品种有白芝麻和黑芝麻。xiǎo ér biǎn hán yóu de kě shí yòng zhǒng zi jì kě zuò wéi sā liào yě kě niǎn mó chéng zhī má jiàng huò zhà yóu cháng jiàn pín zhǒng yǒu bái zhī má hé hēi zhī má

Word origin

芝麻 (zhīmá, "sesame") developed from 脂麻 (zhīma, "sesame"), an older name that links the seed with its oil-producing use.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect a visible main ingredient, but 芝麻 (zhīmá, "sesame") can appear in a dish as a light topping, so it is important in ingredient and allergy discussions.

Related words

  • 芝麻油zhī má yóusesame oilnoun
  • 芝麻酱zhī má jiàngsesame pastenoun
  • 芝麻糖zhī má tángsesame candynoun

Word lists with this word