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油炸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
油炸yóuzháto deep fryHSK 3, n, Hard
yóuzhá(you2zha2) T2
  1. 1to deep fry
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March 24, 2026
油炸yóuzhá(you2zha2)

油炸 (yóu zhà) refers to the method of cooking food by submerging it in hot oil, resulting in a crispy texture. This technique is commonly used for various dishes, including snacks and main courses, in both home cooking and restaurants, particularly in Chinese cuisine. The term conveys a sense of indulgence and richness often associated with fried foods.

Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 油炸 is integral to many festive foods, such as 春卷 (spring rolls) during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Fried foods are often enjoyed as treats during celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a golden sun (油) shining down on a pot filled with bubbling hot oil (炸), creating a frying spectacle. Associate '油' with 'you' as in 'you are frying' to remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 油炸

yóuzhá(you2zha2)
1to deep fry
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 油炸

油炸Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L3HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 油炸

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Podcast: 油炸

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AI Study Notes for 油炸

Quick Contrast

炸 (zhà, fry) vs 油炸 (yóuzhá, deep-fry) — use 油炸 when emphasizing the cooking method involving submerging in oil.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a golden sun (油) shining down on a pot filled with bubbling hot oil (炸), creating a frying spectacle. Associate '油' with 'you' as in 'you are frying' to remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 油炸 in formal settings, as it is often associated with street food or casual dining. Common collocations include 油炸食品 (fried food) and 油炸薯条 (fried French fries). Ensure you pronounce the second tone (you2) and the second tone (zha2) correctly to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 油炸 connects to other cooking-related terms like 煮 (boil) and 炒 (stir-fry). Focus on distinguishing the cooking methods and their respective contexts in conversations about food.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 油炸 is integral to many festive foods, such as 春卷 (spring rolls) during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Fried foods are often enjoyed as treats during celebrations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 油炸 with other cooking methods. For example, saying '我喜欢油炸煮' (I like deep frying and boiling) is incorrect; instead, use '我喜欢油炸和煮' (I like deep frying and boiling) to clarify the distinction.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 油炸

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Component Characters

yóuoil
HSK 48 strokes
View full entry
zháto deep fry
HSK 59 strokes
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Write 油炸

Practice writing 油炸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 油炸

油炸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

用____一下剩下的辣椒,如果需要再加点调味汁。

Fry remaining peppers, adding a little more dressing if necessary.

Example Sentences for 油炸 (5)

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1
用油炸一下剩下的辣椒,如果需要再加点调味汁。

yòng yóu zhà yī xià shèng xià de là jiāo, , rú guǒ xū yào zài jiā diǎn tiáo wèi。

Fry remaining peppers, adding a little more dressing if necessary.
2
油炸食品非常难消化。

yóu zhà shí pǐn fēi cháng nán xiāo huà。

Fried food is very indigestible.
3
不要吃太多浓酱汁、油炸食品和甜腻的油酥点心,因为这些食品的脂肪含量很高。

bù yào chī tài duō nóng jiàng zhī、 、 yóu zhà shí pǐn hé tián nì de yóu sū diǎn, xīn , yīn wéi zhè xiē shí pǐn de zhī fáng hán liáng。

Don't indulge in rich sauces, fried food and thick pastry as these are high in fat.
4
一气之下,道吉把那个又深又大的油炸锅扔了。

yī qì zhī xià, , dào jí bǎ nà gè yòu shēn yòu dà de yóu zhà guō rēng。

In a fit of bad temper, Dougie threw the deep fat fryer overboard.
5
其实, 所有的油炸食品都含有丙烯酰胺.

qí shí, , suǒ yǒu de yóu zhà shí pǐn dū hán yǒu bǐng xī xiān.

Actually, there are acrylamide in all deep fried food.

Cultural Notes for 油炸

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, 油炸 is integral to many festive foods, such as 春卷 (spring rolls) during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Fried foods are often enjoyed as treats during celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions about 油炸

油炸 refers specifically to deep frying in oil, while 炒 means stir-frying, which involves cooking food quickly in a small amount of oil over high heat.