土豆

• Pinyin: tǔ dòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 土 = pictograph of earth/soil; 豆 = pictograph of a vessel/bean

Meaning

Potato; spud.

The common name for potato in northern China. In southern regions, it may be called 马铃薯 (formal) or 洋芋. A staple food that can be prepared in many ways. Also the name of a popular Chinese video sharing website (Tudou, now merged with Youku).

Examples

1. 土豆丝是一道很家常的菜，做法简单又好吃。 Shredded potatoes is a very homestyle dish — easy to make and delicious.
2. 今天超市的土豆打折，我买了好几斤。 Potatoes are on sale at the supermarket today, so I bought several pounds.
3. 烤土豆配上酸奶油，是西餐里常见的吃法。 Baked potato with sour cream is a common way to eat them in Western cuisine.

Usage Guide

Context: food, cooking, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 酸辣土豆丝。(Sour and spicy shredded potatoes.)
• 土豆炖牛肉。(Beef stew with potatoes.)

Don't Say

• 土豆 in formal writing or science contexts — use 马铃薯 for the formal/scientific name

Origin & History

Compound of 土 (earth/soil) + 豆 (bean), literally 'earth bean,' describing how potatoes grow underground.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal