拌

• Pinyin: bàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 拌 = 扌(hand) + 半 (phonetic component)

Meaning

To mix; to stir; to toss (as in salad).

A cooking term for mixing ingredients together, especially cold dishes like salads. Also used in 拌嘴 (to bicker) metaphorically.

Examples

1. 凉拌黄瓜是夏天最爽口的小菜。 Cold mixed cucumber is the most refreshing side dish in summer.
2. 把调料和蔬菜拌匀就可以吃了。 Just mix the seasonings with the vegetables evenly and you can eat.
3. 这对老夫妻经常拌嘴，但感情很好。 This elderly couple often bickers, but their relationship is very good.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 把沙拉拌一拌。(Toss the salad.)
• 拌饭很好吃。(Mixed rice is delicious.)

Don't Say

• 把炒菜说成'拌' (Don't use 拌 for stir-frying — 拌 is for cold mixing without heat)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 扌(hand) + 半 (phonetic). Mixing by hand.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal