下酒菜

xià jiǔ cài

dishes to go with drinks

我们喝酒的时候，总要准备一些下酒菜。

When we drink, we always prepare some dishes to go with the drinks.

informal

Small dishes served with alcoholic drinks to enhance the drinking experience.

他边喝啤酒边吃下酒菜。

He drank beer while eating dishes to go with it.

这种下酒菜非常下饭，你一定要尝尝。

This dish goes really well with drinks—you must try it.

Commonly used in Chinese dining culture, especially during social drinking.

Collocations

下酒菜dishes to go with drinks准备下酒菜prepare dishes to go with drinks下酒菜很丰盛the dishes to go with drinks are abundant

Synonyms

佐酒菜下饭菜

Related Phrases

下饭菜phrase

dishes to go with rice

Pro Tip

Cultural Insight

下酒菜 reflects the Chinese dining culture of pairing small dishes with alcohol to stimulate appetite and conversation. It is common in both casual gatherings and formal banquets.

Gold Rule

Usage Context

下酒菜 is always served with alcohol, while 下饭菜 is served with rice. Do not confuse the two.

Word Origin

下 (xià) means 'to go with' or 'to accompany'; 酒 (jiǔ) means 'alcohol'; 菜 (cài) means 'dish'. The phrase literally means 'dishes to accompany alcohol.'

Usage Notes

下酒菜 is typically served in small portions and can include cold dishes, nuts, or light snacks. It is not the main course but enhances the drinking experience.

Word Breakdown

下

to go with / to accompany

root

酒

alcohol / wine

root

菜

dish / food

root

汉英词典

Xem thêm từ Chinese→English →