Understanding "鸡肉" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 鸡肉
• Pinyin: jī ròu
• Literal Meaning: "chicken meat"
• Primary Meaning: The meat of a chicken, commonly used in cooking and eating.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "鸡肉" refers specifically to chicken meat, distinguishing it from other types of meat like beef (牛肉 - niú ròu) or pork (猪肉 - zhū ròu).
• It is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine, appearing in dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁 - gōng bǎo jī dīng) and Chicken Soup (鸡汤 - jī tāng).

• The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Character Breakdown:

• 鸡 (jī): Means "chicken," referring to the bird itself.
• 肉 (ròu): Means "meat," used to specify the edible part of an animal.
• Together, they form "chicken meat."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我喜欢吃鸡肉。
   Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān chī jīròu.
   English: I like to eat chicken meat.

2. Chinese: 这道菜的鸡肉很嫩。
   Pinyin: Zhè dào cài de jīròu hěn nèn.
   English: The chicken in this dish is very tender.

3. Chinese: 妈妈用鸡肉做了汤。
   Pinyin: Māma yòng jīròu zuò le tāng.
   English: Mom made soup with chicken meat.

Cultural Notes

• Chicken is one of the most commonly consumed meats in China and is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, especially during festivals like Chinese New Year.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, chicken soup is believed to have nourishing properties and is often served to those recovering from illness.

Conclusion

"鸡肉" (jī ròu) simply means "chicken meat" and is a fundamental ingredient in Chinese cooking. Remember the characters 鸡 (chicken) and 肉 (meat) to easily identify it in menus or recipes!