Chinese word

香油

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiāng yóu

Meaning

  • nounsesame oil

Example

我家炒菜总是要放点香油。wǒ jiā chǎo cài zǒng shì yào fàng diǎn xiāng yóu

We always add a little sesame oil when we stir-fry at home.

Illustration for 香油 (sesame oil)

More examples

热汤里不要放太多香油，容易盖住原味。rè tāng lǐ bú yào fàng tài duō xiāng yóu róng yì gài zhù yuán wèi

Do not put too much sesame oil in hot soup, as it can easily mask the original flavor.

Core concept

A fragrant cooking oil whose roasted sesame aroma adds a distinct finishing flavor to food.

Common phrases

  • 几滴香油jǐ dī xiāng yóu

    a few drops of sesame oil

  • 拌上香油bàn shàng xiāng yóu

    mix with sesame oil

Similar words

芝麻油zhī má yóu: The common general term for oil made from sesame seeds.
麻油má yóu: A regional term for sesame oil that often means a strongly scented variety.

Definition in Chinese

以芝麻为原料制成的食用油，经过焙炒后香气更浓，常用于凉拌、调味或作为点缀增香。yǐ zhī má wèi yuán liào zhì chéng de shí yòng yóu jīng guò bèi chǎo hòu xiāng qì gèng nóng cháng yòng yú liáng bàn tiáo wèi huò zuò wéi diǎn zhuì zēng xiāng

Word origin

香 (xiāng, "fragrant") + 油 (yóu, "oil") names an oil whose roasted sesame aroma is its defining feature.

Usage tips

  • In everyday cooking, it often serves as a finishing seasoning rather than the main oil for frying, so a small drizzle can add aroma at the end.

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