Latest / Learn Cantonese with Fexingo / Cantonese Kitchen: Chopping & Slicing
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Cantonese with Fexingo. I am Lucas. Luna: And I am Luna. We are back in the kitchen again. Lucas: Yes. Last episode was about safety. Holding the knife. Being careful. Luna: Right. We learned to hold it steady. But today, we actually do something. Lucas: Exactly. Today is about the action. The cutting. Let's start with a common one. Luna: Okay. What is the word for chopping vegetables? Lucas: The phrase is 切菜. It means to cut vegetables. Luna: Let me try. 切菜. Lucas: Good. You said it clearly. 切菜. Luna: I love that. It sounds simple but useful. 切菜. Lucas: It is very useful. When you see green leaves, you use this verb. 切菜. Luna: Okay, so if I am making soup, I need to 切菜 first. Lucas: Correct. You prepare the greens. You say 切菜. Luna: I can imagine myself doing that now. 切菜. Chop the veggies. Lucas: Yes. And what about meat? Sometimes vegetables are not enough. Luna: Oh, right. Meat needs different handling. Is it the same word? Lucas: Not exactly. For minced meat or pork belly, we often use 剁肉. Luna: 剁肉. To chop or mince meat. Lucas: Yes. It implies a bit more force. A heavier chop. Try it. Luna: 剁肉. Lucas: Nice. 剁肉. Luna: It feels stronger than 切菜. Like a pounding motion. Lucas: Exactly. For dumplings, you 剁肉 until it is fine. Luna: I make dumplings sometimes. I always forget the word for the meat part. Lucas: Now you know. 剁肉. Minced pork. Luna: Okay. So we have vegetables and meat. What about garlic? Lucas: Great question. Garlic is special. You do not slice it thinly usually. Luna: No, you smash it. Right? Lucas: Yes. The phrase is 拍蒜. To smash garlic. Luna: 拍蒜. Lucas: Very good. 拍蒜. Luna: That is so specific. I never knew there was a single verb for smashing garlic. Lucas: It is a key step in Chinese cooking. You 拍蒜 before you fry it. Luna: Smash the garlic. 拍蒜. Got it. Lucas: Before you cook all of this, there is a general term for preparation. Luna: Preparation? Like getting everything ready? Lucas: Yes. The word is 備料. To prepare ingredients. Luna: 備料. Lucas: Spot on. 備料. Luna: I like this word. It covers everything. Washing, cutting, marinating. Lucas: Exactly. Before you turn on the stove, you 備料. Luna: So the order is: 備料, then 切菜, maybe 剁肉, and 拍蒜. Lucas: Perfect sequence. You prepare, then you chop, then you cook. Luna: But wait. If I am rushing, I might mess up. Lucas: That brings us to our last phrase. Because knives are sharp. Luna: Right. Safety first. What do I say if I am being careless? Lucas: You tell yourself or your helper: 小心點. Be careful. Luna: 小心點. Lucas: Good. 小心點. Luna: It is a gentle warning. Not angry, just mindful. Lucas: Yes. Use it when you are tired or distracted. 小心點. Luna: I will remember that one. Especially with 剁肉. Lucas: Definitely. Heavy chopping requires focus. 小心點. Luna: Okay, let's review the whole list quickly. Lucas: Ready? Luna: To cut vegetables: 切菜. Lucas: To mince meat: 剁肉. Luna: To smash garlic: 拍蒜. Lucas: To prepare ingredients: 備料. Luna: To be careful: 小心點. Lucas: Excellent. You have a full set of kitchen tools in your vocabulary. Luna: I feel ready to cook a real dinner tonight. Lucas: Go ahead. Just remember to 備料 first. Luna: And 小心點 with the knife! Lucas: Exactly. Luna: By the way, did you hear about the donation request? Lucas: Ah yes. If Fexingo has been helping you make actual progress with this language, consider supporting us. Luna: Listener support keeps the show ad-free and running smoothly. Lucas: You can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo — that's F. E. X. I. N. G. O. Luna: Thank you for keeping this podcast alive. Lucas: Back to the cooking. Do you prefer 切菜 or 剁肉 more? Luna: Hmm. I think 切菜 is easier for me. Less wrist strain. Lucas: Fair point. 剁肉 takes some strength. Luna: But 剁肉 makes such good dumpling filling though. Lucas: True. Quality over ease. I guess. Luna: Exactly. Worth the effort for the perfect bite. Lucas: Well, practice your 剁肉 skills this week. Luna: Will do. And I'll 拍蒜 plenty. Lucas: Good plan. Keep practicing these phrases. Luna: See you next time for another cooking adventure. Lucas: Take care. And 小心點.