Kitchen Vocabulary in Traditional Chinese: 90+ Words (No Chef Ego)

廚房詞彙：90+ 個實用單字與句子（繁體中文 + 拼音）

Traditional: 繁體中文 Pinyin: tone marks Every item has an example Audio buttons included

Here’s the kitchen vocab you actually use: Traditional Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, plain-English meanings, and short real-life examples.

Tap the 🔊 buttons to hear the Mandarin (Taiwan accent). Then go label your kitchen and pretend you’re organized. It’s fine.

🦬Yak Snark

If you can say 開火 (turn on the heat) and 關火 (turn it off), you’re already ahead of 50% of real kitchens. Yes, including mine.

The “I Need This Daily” Kitchen Cards

廚房

chúfáng

kitchen

我在廚房做早餐。

Wǒ zài chúfáng zuò zǎocān.

I’m making breakfast in the kitchen.

冰箱

bīngxiāng

refrigerator

牛奶在冰箱裡。

Niúnǎi zài bīngxiāng lǐ.

The milk is in the fridge.

瓦斯爐

wǎsīlú

gas stove

請把瓦斯爐關掉。

Qǐng bǎ wǎsīlú guān diào.

Please turn off the gas stove.

刀

dāo

knife

這把刀很利。

Zhè bǎ dāo hěn lì.

This knife is sharp.

砧板

zhēnbǎn

cutting board

把菜放在砧板上切。

Bǎ cài fàng zài zhēnbǎn shàng qiē.

Put the vegetables on the cutting board to chop.

平底鍋

píngdǐguō

frying pan

用平底鍋煎蛋很快。

Yòng píngdǐguō jiān dàn hěn kuài.

Frying eggs in a pan is quick.

水槽

shuǐcáo

sink

碗先放水槽裡泡一下。

Wǎn xiān fàng shuǐcáo lǐ pào yíxià.

Soak the bowls in the sink first.

碗

wǎn

bowl

給我一個碗，好嗎？

Gěi wǒ yí ge wǎn, hǎo ma?

Can you give me a bowl?

Useful Kitchen Phrases You’ll Actually Say Short, practical, and perfect for not setting something on fire.

開火

kāi huǒ

turn on the heat

你可以幫我開火嗎？

Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ kāi huǒ ma?

Can you turn on the heat for me?

關火

guān huǒ

turn off the heat

水滾了，記得關火。

Shuǐ gǔn le, jìde guān huǒ.

The water’s boiling—remember to turn off the heat.

大火

dà huǒ

high heat

先用大火煮兩分鐘。

Xiān yòng dà huǒ zhǔ liǎng fēnzhōng.

Boil on high heat for two minutes first.

中火

zhōng huǒ

medium heat

用中火慢慢炒。

Yòng zhōng huǒ mànmàn chǎo.

Stir-fry slowly over medium heat.

小火

xiǎo huǒ

low heat

改小火再燉十分鐘。

Gǎi xiǎo huǒ zài dùn shí fēnzhōng.

Turn to low heat and simmer for ten more minutes.

先預熱

xiān yùrè

preheat first

先預熱烤箱到一百八十度。

Xiān yùrè kǎoxiāng dào yìbǎi bāshí dù.

Preheat the oven to 180°C first.

煮滾

zhǔ gǔn

bring to a boil

把水煮滾再下麵條。

Bǎ shuǐ zhǔ gǔn zài xià miàntiáo.

Bring the water to a boil before adding noodles.

翻面

fān miàn

flip it over

煎到金黃就翻面。

Jiān dào jīnhuáng jiù fān miàn.

Flip it when it turns golden.

切成小塊

qiē chéng xiǎo kuài

cut into small pieces

把豆腐切成小塊。

Bǎ dòufu qiē chéng xiǎo kuài.

Cut the tofu into small pieces.

攪一攪

jiǎo yì jiǎo

give it a stir

醬料要攪一攪。

Jiàngliào yào jiǎo yì jiǎo.

Give the sauce a quick stir.

加一點鹽

jiā yìdiǎn yán

add a little salt

這個菜加一點鹽就好。

Zhège cài jiā yìdiǎn yán jiù hǎo.

Just add a little salt to this dish.

加點醬油

jiā diǎn jiàngyóu

add some soy sauce

不夠鹹的話加點醬油。

Bù gòu xián de huà jiā diǎn jiàngyóu.

If it’s not salty enough, add some soy sauce.

冰起來

bīng qǐlái

put it in the fridge

吃不完就冰起來。

Chī bù wán jiù bīng qǐlái.

If you can’t finish it, put it in the fridge.

洗碗

xǐ wǎn

wash the dishes

我做菜，你洗碗。

Wǒ zuò cài, nǐ xǐ wǎn.

I’ll cook; you wash the dishes.

端上桌

duān shàng zhuō

serve it to the table

菜好了，可以端上桌。

Cài hǎo le, kěyǐ duān shàng zhuō.

The food’s ready—you can serve it to the table.

Small Taiwan note: In Taiwan you’ll often hear 瓦斯 for “gas” and see 流理臺 for “countertop.” Same kitchen, same mess—just different labels.

Kitchen Setup & Storage

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
流理臺	liúlǐtái	countertop	請把菜放在流理臺上。 Qǐng bǎ cài fàng zài liúlǐtái shàng.	Please put the vegetables on the counter.
櫥櫃	chúguì	cabinet	碗都在那個櫥櫃裡。 Wǎn dōu zài nàge chúguì lǐ.	The bowls are in that cabinet.
抽屜	chōutì	drawer	刀子在左邊的抽屜。 Dāozi zài zuǒbiān de chōutì.	The knives are in the drawer on the left.
置物架	zhìwùjià	shelf / rack	我把香料放在置物架上。 Wǒ bǎ xiāngliào fàng zài zhìwùjià shàng.	I put the spices on the rack.
冷凍庫	lěngdòngkù	freezer	冰淇淋在冷凍庫裡。 Bīngqílín zài lěngdòngkù lǐ.	The ice cream is in the freezer.
垃圾桶	lājītǒng	trash can	請把蛋殼丟進垃圾桶。 Qǐng bǎ dànké diū jìn lājītǒng.	Please throw the eggshells into the trash can.
回收桶	huíshōutǒng	recycling bin	這個瓶子要放回收桶。 Zhège píngzi yào fàng huíshōutǒng.	This bottle goes in the recycling bin.
保鮮盒	bǎoxiānhé	food container	剩菜放進保鮮盒。 Shèngcài fàng jìn bǎoxiānhé.	Put leftovers into a container.
保鮮膜	bǎoxiānmó	plastic wrap	用保鮮膜把碗包起來。 Yòng bǎoxiānmó bǎ wǎn bāo qǐlái.	Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
鋁箔紙	lǚbózhǐ	aluminum foil	烤魚的時候用鋁箔紙。 Kǎo yú de shíhou yòng lǚbózhǐ.	Use foil when baking fish.
烘焙紙	hōngbèi zhǐ	parchment paper	鋪一張烘焙紙比較不黏。 Pū yì zhāng hōngbèi zhǐ bǐjiào bù nián.	Lining with parchment paper helps prevent sticking.

Appliances

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
電磁爐	diàncílú	induction cooker	這台電磁爐很快就熱。 Zhè tái diàncílú hěn kuài jiù rè.	This induction cooker heats up fast.
烤箱	kǎoxiāng	oven	把披薩放進烤箱。 Bǎ pīsà fàng jìn kǎoxiāng.	Put the pizza in the oven.
微波爐	wēibōlú	microwave	我用微波爐加熱便當。 Wǒ yòng wēibōlú jiārè biàndāng.	I heat my lunchbox in the microwave.
電鍋	diànguō	rice cooker (Taiwan-style electric cooker)	用電鍋煮飯最省事。 Yòng diànguō zhǔ fàn zuì shěngshì.	Cooking rice in a rice cooker is the easiest.
熱水壺	rèshuǐhú	electric kettle	熱水壺裡有水嗎？ Rèshuǐhú lǐ yǒu shuǐ ma?	Is there water in the kettle?
果汁機	guǒzhījī	blender	用果汁機打香蕉牛奶。 Yòng guǒzhījī dǎ xiāngjiāo niúnǎi.	Use the blender to make banana milk.
烤麵包機	kǎo miànbāo jī	toaster	早上我用烤麵包機烤吐司。 Zǎoshang wǒ yòng kǎo miànbāo jī kǎo tǔsī.	In the morning I toast bread in the toaster.
抽油煙機	chōuyóuyānjī	range hood	炒菜記得開抽油煙機。 Chǎo cài jìde kāi chōuyóuyānjī.	When stir-frying, remember to turn on the hood.

Cookware & Tools

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
湯鍋	tāngguō	soup pot	我用湯鍋煮味噌湯。 Wǒ yòng tāngguō zhǔ wèicēng tāng.	I use the soup pot to cook miso soup.
炒鍋	chǎoguō	wok	這個炒鍋不容易黏。 Zhège chǎoguō bù róngyì nián.	This wok doesn’t stick easily.
蒸鍋	zhēngguō	steamer	用蒸鍋蒸包子。 Yòng zhēngguō zhēng bāozi.	Steam buns with a steamer.
砂鍋	shāguō	clay pot	砂鍋煲湯很香。 Shāguō bāo tāng hěn xiāng.	Clay pot soup smells amazing.
烤盤	kǎopán	baking tray	把餅乾放在烤盤上。 Bǎ bǐnggān fàng zài kǎopán shàng.	Put the cookies on the baking tray.
鍋蓋	guōgài	lid	煮的時候蓋上鍋蓋。 Zhǔ de shíhou gài shàng guōgài.	Put the lid on while it cooks.
鍋鏟	guōchǎn	wok spatula	用鍋鏟把菜翻一翻。 Yòng guōchǎn bǎ cài fān yì fān.	Use the spatula to toss the vegetables.
鍋杓	guōsháo	ladle	用鍋杓舀一碗湯。 Yòng guōsháo yǎo yì wǎn tāng.	Use a ladle to scoop a bowl of soup.
漏勺	lòusháo	slotted spoon / skimmer	麵條煮好用漏勺撈起來。 Miàntiáo zhǔ hǎo yòng lòusháo lāo qǐlái.	When the noodles are done, lift them out with a skimmer.
夾子	jiāzi	tongs	用夾子夾烤肉比較安全。 Yòng jiāzi jiā kǎoròu bǐjiào ānquán.	Using tongs for grilled meat is safer.
打蛋器	dǎdànqì	whisk	用打蛋器把蛋打散。 Yòng dǎdànqì bǎ dàn dǎ sàn.	Use a whisk to beat the eggs.
刨刀	páodāo	peeler	用刨刀削馬鈴薯皮。 Yòng páodāo xiāo mǎlíngshǔ pí.	Use a peeler to peel potatoes.
濾網	lǜwǎng	strainer	把湯過一下濾網。 Bǎ tāng guò yíxià lǜwǎng.	Strain the soup through a strainer.
量杯	liángbēi	measuring cup	用量杯量牛奶。 Yòng liángbēi liáng niúnǎi.	Use a measuring cup to measure milk.
量匙	liángchí	measuring spoon	用量匙加一匙糖。 Yòng liángchí jiā yì chí táng.	Use a measuring spoon to add one spoonful of sugar.

Tableware

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
盤子	pánzi	plate	把菜放到盤子裡。 Bǎ cài fàng dào pánzi lǐ.	Put the food on the plate.
筷子	kuàizi	chopsticks	你會用筷子嗎？ Nǐ huì yòng kuàizi ma?	Can you use chopsticks?
叉子	chāzi	fork	給我一支叉子。 Gěi wǒ yì zhī chāzi.	Give me a fork.
餐刀	cāndāo	table knife	牛排要用餐刀切。 Niúpái yào yòng cāndāo qiē.	Steak should be cut with a table knife.
杯子	bēizi	cup	這個杯子是熱的。 Zhège bēizi shì rè de.	This cup is hot.
馬克杯	mǎkèbēi	mug	我用馬克杯喝咖啡。 Wǒ yòng mǎkèbēi hē kāfēi.	I drink coffee in a mug.
托盤	tuōpán	tray	我用托盤端茶。 Wǒ yòng tuōpán duān chá.	I carry tea on a tray.
餐巾	cānjīn	napkin	餐巾在你右邊。 Cānjīn zài nǐ yòubiān.	The napkin is on your right.

Ingredients & Seasonings

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
鹽	yán	salt	這湯太淡了，放點鹽。 Zhè tāng tài dàn le, fàng diǎn yán.	This soup is too bland—add some salt.
糖	táng	sugar	我咖啡不加糖。 Wǒ kāfēi bù jiā táng.	I don’t add sugar to my coffee.
醬油	jiàngyóu	soy sauce	我喜歡在飯上淋醬油。 Wǒ xǐhuān zài fàn shàng lín jiàngyóu.	I like drizzling soy sauce on rice.
醋	cù	vinegar	水餃沾醋很好吃。 Shuǐjiǎo zhān cù hěn hǎochī.	Dumplings dipped in vinegar are delicious.
蠔油	háoyóu	oyster sauce	青菜加一點蠔油就很香。 Qīngcài jiā yìdiǎn háoyóu jiù hěn xiāng.	Greens taste great with a bit of oyster sauce.
胡椒	hújiāo	pepper	撒點胡椒更有味道。 Sā diǎn hújiāo gèng yǒu wèidào.	Sprinkle pepper for more flavor.
辣椒	làjiāo	chili pepper	我不太能吃辣椒。 Wǒ bù tài néng chī làjiāo.	I can’t really handle spicy chili.
食用油	shíyòngyóu	cooking oil	鍋熱了再倒食用油。 Guō rè le zài dào shíyòngyóu.	Add cooking oil after the pan is hot.
芝麻油	zhīmáyóu	sesame oil	起鍋前滴幾滴芝麻油。 Qǐ guō qián dī jǐ dī zhīmáyóu.	Add a few drops of sesame oil before turning off the heat.
奶油	nǎiyóu	butter	吐司抹奶油最好吃。 Tǔsī mǒ nǎiyóu zuì hǎochī.	Toast with butter tastes best.
麵粉	miànfěn	flour	這個麵粉用來做鬆餅。 Zhège miànfěn yòng lái zuò sōngbǐng.	This flour is for making pancakes.
米	mǐ	rice (uncooked)	我買了一包米。 Wǒ mǎi le yì bāo mǐ.	I bought a bag of rice.
麵條	miàntiáo	noodles	晚餐吃麵條吧。 Wǎncān chī miàntiáo ba.	Let’s have noodles for dinner.
雞蛋	jīdàn	egg	冰箱裡還有雞蛋嗎？ Bīngxiāng lǐ hái yǒu jīdàn ma?	Are there any eggs left in the fridge?
牛奶	niúnǎi	milk	我早上喝牛奶。 Wǒ zǎoshang hē niúnǎi.	I drink milk in the morning.
薑	jiāng	ginger	加一片薑去腥。 Jiā yí piàn jiāng qù xīng.	Add a slice of ginger to remove the fishy smell.

Cleaning & Safety

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
洗碗精	xǐwǎnjīng	dish soap	洗碗精用一點點就夠。 Xǐwǎnjīng yòng yìdiǎndiǎn jiù gòu.	Just a little dish soap is enough.
海綿	hǎimián	sponge	用海綿把盤子刷乾淨。 Yòng hǎimián bǎ pánzi shuā gānjìng.	Use a sponge to scrub the plate clean.
抹布	mǒbù	dishcloth	抹布記得常常換。 Mǒbù jìde chángcháng huàn.	Remember to change the dishcloth often.
手套	shǒutào	gloves	戴手套洗碗比較不傷手。 Dài shǒutào xǐ wǎn bǐjiào bù shāng shǒu.	Wearing gloves while washing dishes is gentler on your hands.
清潔劑	qīngjiéjì	cleaner	這個清潔劑可以去油。 Zhège qīngjiéjì kěyǐ qù yóu.	This cleaner can remove grease.
圍裙	wéiqún	apron	做菜前先穿圍裙。 Zuò cài qián xiān chuān wéiqún.	Put on an apron before cooking.
隔熱墊	gérèdiàn	trivet / hot pad	鍋子很燙，要放隔熱墊。 Guōzi hěn tàng, yào fàng gérèdiàn.	The pot is hot—put it on a trivet.

Optional: Super-Useful Measure Words

Traditional	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
一把刀	yì bǎ dāo	a knife (classifier: 把)	我需要一把刀。 Wǒ xūyào yì bǎ dāo.	I need a knife.
一口鍋	yì kǒu guō	a pot (classifier: 口)	我買了一口鍋。 Wǒ mǎi le yì kǒu guō.	I bought a pot.
一支湯匙	yì zhī tāngchí	a spoon (classifier: 支)	給我一支湯匙。 Gěi wǒ yì zhī tāngchí.	Give me a spoon.
一雙筷子	yì shuāng kuàizi	a pair of chopsticks (classifier: 雙)	桌上有一雙筷子。 Zhuō shàng yǒu yì shuāng kuàizi.	There’s a pair of chopsticks on the table.
一個保鮮盒	yí ge bǎoxiānhé	a food container (classifier: 個)	把水果放進一個保鮮盒。 Bǎ shuǐguǒ fàng jìn yí ge bǎoxiānhé.	Put the fruit into a container.
一片吐司	yí piàn tǔsī	a slice of toast (classifier: 片)	早上我吃一片吐司。 Zǎoshang wǒ chī yí piàn tǔsī.	I eat a slice of toast in the morning.
一顆雞蛋	yì kē jīdàn	an egg (classifier: 顆)	我只要一顆雞蛋。 Wǒ zhǐ yào yì kē jīdàn.	I only want one egg.
一匙糖	yì chí táng	a spoonful of sugar (classifier: 匙)	咖啡裡加一匙糖。 Kāfēi lǐ jiā yì chí táng.	Add a spoonful of sugar to the coffee.