Chinese word

香草

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiāng cǎo

Meaning

  • nounvanilla

Example

香草口味的蛋糕很好吃。xiāng cǎo kǒu wèi de dàn gāo hěn hǎo chī

The vanilla-flavored cake is delicious.

Illustration for 香草 (vanilla)

More examples

我在咖啡里加了香草糖浆。wǒ zài kā fēi lǐ jiā le xiāng cǎo táng jiāng

I added vanilla syrup to my coffee.

Core concept

An aromatic plant or plant-based flavor that brings a noticeable fragrance to food, from herbs to dessert flavoring.

Common phrases

  • 香草口味xiāng cǎo kǒu wèi

    vanilla flavor

  • 香草拿铁xiāng cǎo ná tiě

    vanilla latte

Similar words

香草味xiāng cǎo wèi: A vanilla taste or aroma found in food or drink.
香料xiāng liào: A substance added to give food, drinks, or perfume a pleasant scent or flavor.

Definition in Chinese

指一种用于调味的植物香料或由其制得的香味，通常特指用于甜点的香草或其风味。zhǐ yì zhǒng yòng yú tiáo wèi de zhí wù xiāng liào huò yóu qí zhì dé de xiāng wèi tōng cháng tè zhǐ yòng yú tián diǎn de xiāng cǎo huò qí fēng wèi

Word origin

香 (xiāng, "fragrant") + 草 (cǎo, "grass") names a plant recognized for its fragrance, then extends naturally to the flavor made from it.

Usage tips

  • In everyday menus, a dessert can make this word mean a sweet flavor rather than a leafy seasoning, while a savory dish may need a more specific plant name for clarity.

Other meanings

  • herbnoun

Related words

  • 香草豆xiāng cǎo dòuvanilla beannoun
  • 香草粉xiāng cǎo fěnvanilla powdernoun

Word lists with this word