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March 24, 2026
调料(調料)tiáoliào(tiao2liao4)
调料 (tiáoliào) refers to various substances added to food to enhance flavor, such as spices, herbs, and sauces. It is commonly used in cooking to create distinct tastes and aromas, and is essential in many cuisines, especially in Chinese cooking. The term encompasses a wide range of ingredients, from simple salt to complex marinades.
Frequency#12701DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine,调料 plays a crucial role in regional dishes, with different areas having their own signature调料 blends that reflect local tastes. For example, Sichuan cuisine is famous for its bold use of spicy调料 like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱).
Memory Tip
Think of 调料 as a 'tune-up' for your food, where '调' means to adjust or tune, and '料' refers to materials or ingredients. Imagine a chef finely tuning a musical instrument, using various调料 to create a perfect flavor symphony.
Meanings of 调料
tiáoliào(tiao2liao4)
1condiment
2seasoning
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About 调料
调料Simplified
調料Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12701Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 调料
Podcast: 调料
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AI Study Notes for 调料
Quick Contrast
调味料 (tiáowèi liào) refers specifically to flavoring agents that enhance taste, while 调料 (tiáoliào) can include a broader range of ingredients used in cooking.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 调料 as a 'tune-up' for your food, where '调' means to adjust or tune, and '料' refers to materials or ingredients. Imagine a chef finely tuning a musical instrument, using various调料 to create a perfect flavor symphony.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 调料 with 食材 (shícái), which means ingredients without the flavor aspect. In informal settings, you might hear people simply refer to their favorite调料, but in formal discussions about cuisine, use the full term. Common collocations include '调料包' (seasoning packet) and '调料瓶' (condiment bottle).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 调料 connects with other cooking-related vocabulary, such as 食物 (shíwù, food) and 烹饪 (pēngrèn, cooking). Focus on how调料 can be combined with different verbs to convey actions in cooking, like '添加调料' (tiānjiā tiáoliào, to add seasoning).
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine,调料 plays a crucial role in regional dishes, with different areas having their own signature调料 blends that reflect local tastes. For example, Sichuan cuisine is famous for its bold use of spicy调料 like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱).
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 调料 by saying '调料的' when they mean '调味料' (tiáowèi liào), which is specifically for flavoring. Correct example: use '我喜欢这个调料' (I like this condiment) instead of '我喜欢这个调味料'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 调料
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Grammar Patterns of 调料
调料 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). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Drizzle the remaining dressing over the duck and salad.
3
要不然他们会加一些辣根调料.
yào bù rán tā mén huì jiā yī xiē là gēn tiáo liào.
Or they use a horseradish.
4
沪帮的菜肴油水较重而京菜的味咸调料多.
hù bāng de cài yáo yóu shuǐ jiào zhòng ér jīng cài de wèi xián tiáo liào duō.
Shanghai food is rather oily, and Beijing food is salty and spicy.
5
把紫苏撕成碎片加到调料里.
bǎ zǐ sū sī chéng suì piàn jiā dào tiáo liào lǐ.
Tear fresh basil into pieces and add it to the sauce.
6
丙: 您的色拉要什么样的调料?
bǐng: : nín de sè lā yào shí mó yàng de tiáo?
C: What kind of dressing do you want on your salad?
Cultural Notes for 调料
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine,调料 plays a crucial role in regional dishes, with different areas having their own signature调料 blends that reflect local tastes. For example, Sichuan cuisine is famous for its bold use of spicy调料 like doubanjiang (豆瓣酱).
Frequently Asked Questions about 调料
Common调料 include soy sauce (酱油), vinegar (醋), and five-spice powder (五香粉).
Absolutely! Many调料 have equivalents in Western cuisine, and they can enhance flavors in various dishes.
Start with small amounts and adjust to taste, as调料 can vary greatly in intensity.
