砂糖

• Pinyin: shā táng
• Hanzi breakdown: 砂 = 石 (stone) + 少 (few/fine) = fine granular particles; 糖 = 米 (rice/grain radical) + 唐 (phonetic, táng) = sweet substance derived from grain

Meaning

Granulated sugar; refined crystalline sugar made from sugarcane or sugar beet.

Used in cooking, baking, and food science contexts. 白砂糖 (white granulated sugar) is the most common form in Chinese cooking. Distinct from 冰糖 (rock sugar), 红糖 (brown/unrefined sugar), and 糖粉 (powdered sugar). The 砂 component refers to the sandy, granular texture of the crystals.

Examples

1. 这道传统糕点的制作需要将砂糖与黄油充分搅打至颜色变浅、体积蓬松，以确保烤出来的成品口感细腻轻盈。 To make this traditional pastry, you need to beat the granulated sugar and butter thoroughly until the mixture turns lighter in color and fluffy in volume, ensuring the baked result is delicate and airy.
2. 近年来营养学研究不断揭示过量摄入砂糖对代谢系统的负面影响，促使许多食品企业开始推进减糖配方改良。 In recent years, nutrition research has increasingly revealed the negative effects of excessive sugar intake on the metabolic system, prompting many food companies to push forward lower-sugar recipe reformulations.
3. 厨师将适量砂糖加入炖猪肉的调味汁中，利用焦糖化反应赋予这道家常菜醇厚浓郁的特殊风味。 The chef added an appropriate amount of granulated sugar to the braised pork sauce and used caramelization to give the home-style dish a rich, distinctive flavor.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food science, nutrition, baking

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 制作这款经典法式焦糖布丁时，需要将砂糖均匀铺撒在布丁表面，然后用喷枪快速加热至形成一层薄脆的焦糖壳。(When making this classic French crème brûlée, spread granulated sugar evenly over the surface of the custard, then quickly heat with a blowtorch until a thin, crisp caramel shell forms.)
• 医生建议她将每日砂糖摄入量控制在世卫组织推荐的上限以内，以降低患二型糖尿病和心血管疾病的风险。(The doctor advised her to keep her daily granulated sugar intake within the WHO-recommended limit to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.)

Don't Say

• 生活需要一些砂糖 — 砂糖 is a specific food item, not a metaphor for sweetness; use 甜蜜 or 甜美 alone for the feeling of sweetness; do not use 砂糖 figuratively

Origin & History

砂 = 石 (stone/rock) + 少 (few/fine) = fine stone particles = granules/grit; 糖 = 米 (grain) + 唐 (phonetic, táng) = sweetness from grain — granular refined sugar

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal