饺子

• Pinyin: jiǎo zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 饺 (jiǎo) = 饣(food radical) + 交 (phonetic); 子 (zi) — noun suffix

Meaning

Dumplings. Chinese dumplings made of dough wrapped around a filling of meat and vegetables.

One of the most iconic Chinese foods. Traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year and the Winter Solstice. Common fillings include pork and cabbage, or chive and egg. Can be boiled (水饺), steamed (蒸饺), or pan-fried (煎饺).

Examples

1. 过年的时候我们全家一起包饺子。 During the New Year, our whole family makes dumplings together.
2. 我最喜欢吃猪肉白菜饺子。 I like pork and cabbage dumplings the most.
3. 妈妈包的饺子特别好吃。 The dumplings Mom makes are especially delicious.

Usage Guide

Context: food, festivals, family

Tone: warm, homely

Do Say

• 我们一起包饺子吧。(Let's make dumplings together.)
• 你吃过饺子吗？(Have you eaten dumplings?)

Don't Say

• 不要把饺子和馄饨混起来 (Don't confuse 饺子 with 馄饨 — 饺子 are crescent-shaped with thicker skin, while 馄饨 are wontons with thinner wrappers)

Origin & History

Named for its horn-like crescent shape (角 means horn/corner). Dumplings have been a staple of northern Chinese cuisine for over a thousand years.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal