饺子 (jiǎozi) — dumpling

饺子 (jiǎozi)

饺子 are traditional Chinese dumplings made of thin dough wrappers filled with minced meat and vegetables. They are folded and then boiled, steamed, or pan-fried. Eating dumplings is a central tradition during Chinese New Year and family gatherings. The measure word is 个 (gè) or 只 (zhī).

Meanings

1. [noun] Dumpling; jiaozi (a stuffed dough wrapper, usually boiled or pan-fried).

Example Sentences

我最喜欢吃妈妈包的饺子。 Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī māma bāo de jiǎozi. I love eating the dumplings my mother makes.

过年的时候，全家人一起包饺子。 Guònián de shíhòu, quánjiārén yīqǐ bāo jiǎozi. During the New Year, the whole family wraps dumplings together.

这家餐厅的饺子很好吃，皮薄馅多。 Zhè jiā cāntīng de jiǎozi hěn hǎo chī, pí báo xiàn duō. The dumplings at this restaurant are delicious — thin wrapper and plenty of filling.

我们来做饺子吧，你负责和面，我来调馅。 Wǒmen lái zuò jiǎozi ba, nǐ fùzé huómiàn, wǒ lái tiáo xiàn. Let's make dumplings — you handle the dough and I'll prepare the filling.

Collocations

Memory Hook

饺 has the food radical 饣 (eating / food). Picture a small food pouch sealed tight — the 饺子 is the iconic sealed-pocket food of China, traditionally shared around the family table.