家常菜

jiā cháng cài
nounIntermediate home-style dishes
informal

Dishes that are simple, traditional, and typically prepared at home rather than in restaurants. These meals are often passed down through generations and use common, everyday ingredients.

我最喜欢吃奶奶做的家常菜,比如红烧肉和清蒸鱼。

I love eating my grandmother's home-style dishes, like braised pork and steamed fish.

家常菜不仅经济实惠,而且营养丰富。

Home-style dishes are not only economical but also nutritious.

💡

家常菜 emphasizes simplicity, tradition, and the use of fresh, everyday ingredients. It is often contrasted with elaborate or restaurant-style cooking.

Collocations

家常菜home-style dishes做家常菜to cook home-style dishes家常菜谱home-style recipes

Related Phrases

家常饭phrase
home-style meals
家常菜谱phrase
home-style recipes
家常话phrase
casual conversation

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

家常菜 is deeply tied to Chinese family culture and often evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. It is a term that carries emotional weight beyond just describing food.

Gold Rule

Usage Rule

家常菜 is typically used to describe meals that are simple, traditional, and prepared at home. It is not used to describe fine dining or restaurant meals.

📖Word Origin

The term '家常菜' is composed of '家常' (everyday life at home) and '菜' (dishes). It reflects the idea of simple, everyday meals prepared in a traditional manner.

📝Usage Notes

家常菜 is often used to describe meals that are comforting, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in family traditions. It is commonly used in conversations about food, cooking, and family life.

Word Breakdown

家常
everyday life at home
root
+
dishes
root
汉英词典