番茄

• Pinyin: fān qié
• Hanzi breakdown: 番 = foreign; 茄 = 艹 (plant) + 加 (phonetic) — foreign eggplant-family plant

Meaning

Tomato. The red, juicy fruit commonly used in cooking worldwide.

In northern China, 西红柿 is more common, while 番茄 is preferred in southern China and Taiwan. 番 (foreign) indicates the tomato's non-native origin. Common dishes: 番茄炒蛋 (tomato scrambled eggs), 番茄酱 (ketchup/tomato sauce). Also: 小番茄 (cherry tomatoes).

Examples

1. 番茄炒蛋是中国最家常的一道菜，简单又好吃。 Tomato scrambled eggs is one of the most common home-cooked dishes in China — simple and delicious.
2. 这个沙拉里的小番茄特别甜，一口一个。 The cherry tomatoes in this salad are especially sweet; you can pop them in one bite.
3. 他做意大利面的番茄酱是自己熬的，比超市买的香多了。 He makes his own tomato sauce for pasta, and it's much more flavorful than store-bought.

Usage Guide

Context: food, cooking, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 今天番茄很新鲜，买几个回去做汤。(The tomatoes are fresh today; buy a few to make soup.)
• 番茄和鸡蛋简直是绝配。(Tomatoes and eggs are a perfect match.)

Don't Say

• 在北方说番茄别人可能不习惯 (In northern China, people more commonly say 西红柿; 番茄 sounds more southern/formal, though both are understood)

Origin & History

Compound of 番 (foreign) + 茄 (eggplant family). Named for its foreign origin when introduced to China in the 16th-17th century.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal