variant of 煮

JLPT N3 12 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character primarily means "to boil" or "to cook by boiling." It is commonly used when referring to cooking food in water or broth, such as boiling eggs, making soup, or simmering dishes.

Common Collocations

  • (zhǔ tāng): to cook soup
  • (zhǔ fàn): to cook rice
  • 鸡蛋 (zhǔ jīdàn): to boil eggs

These collocations are frequently used in everyday conversation about cooking.

Nuances and Usage Notes

When using , the focus is on the cooking method involving boiling or simmering. It differs from (chǎo, stir-fry) or (kǎo, roast). often implies cooking with liquid and heat over time.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse with (jiān), which means to pan-fry. involves boiling or simmering, while involves frying with little oil.

Register and Tone

is a neutral, standard verb used in both spoken and written Chinese, suitable for daily life and cooking contexts.

Example Sentences

Mom is cooking soup in the kitchen.

Please boil the eggs for ten minutes.

He likes to brew coffee over low heat; this way the flavor is stronger.