to boil sb alive (capital punishment in Imperial China)
v, 11 strokes, radical 灬, rank #37230, Very Hard
烹
pēng
cooking, cuisine; stir-fry
v, 11 strokes, radical 灬, rank #37230, Very Hard
pēng(peng1) T1
1cooking method
2to boil sb alive (capital punishment in Imperial China)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
烹pēng(peng1)
The character 烹 (pēng) refers to cooking, particularly methods that involve boiling or stir-frying. It can also denote a more traditional or formal approach to cuisine, often associated with elaborate preparation techniques in Chinese cooking. In historical contexts, it has a darker meaning related to capital punishment in Imperial China, where it described a method of execution.
Strokes11Radical灬Frequency#37230DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cooking is highly regarded, often seen as an art form that reflects familial love and social status. The nuances of cooking techniques like 烹 are celebrated in traditional Chinese cuisine, which values both flavor and presentation.
Memory Tip
Think of 烹 as a pot (the top part of the character resembles a pot) filled with boiling water and ingredients, bubbling away as you stir-fry your favorite dish. The sound 'pēng' can remind you of the sizzling sound food makes when it hits a hot pan, helping you connect the pronunciation with the cooking action.
Meanings of 烹
pēng(peng1)
1cooking method
2to boil sb alive (capital punishment in Imperial China)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 烹
烹Simplified
11Strokes
灬Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#37230Frequency Rank
Podcast: 烹
Podcast: 烹
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 烹
Quick Contrast
煮 (zhǔ) — use 烹 when referring to more elaborate cooking methods, while 煮 is for simple boiling.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 烹 as a pot (the top part of the character resembles a pot) filled with boiling water and ingredients, bubbling away as you stir-fry your favorite dish. The sound 'pēng' can remind you of the sizzling sound food makes when it hits a hot pan, helping you connect the pronunciation with the cooking action.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tone; 'pēng' should not be confused with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. While it is commonly used in culinary contexts, it may not be appropriate in very casual conversations. Typical collocations include 烹饪 (pēngrèn), meaning 'cooking' or 'culinary arts'.
HSK Study Tips
Although 烹 is not in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with basic cooking-related terms like 煮 (zhǔ, to boil) and 炒 (chǎo, to stir-fry), which learners at the same level should focus on. Understanding 烹 can enrich vocabulary related to food and cooking methods, broadening your ability to discuss cuisine.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, cooking is highly regarded, often seen as an art form that reflects familial love and social status. The nuances of cooking techniques like 烹 are celebrated in traditional Chinese cuisine, which values both flavor and presentation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 烹 with 煮 due to similar meanings, using it incorrectly in contexts that require boiling. For example, saying '我想烹面条' (I want to boil noodles) should be corrected to '我想煮面条'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 烹
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 烹 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 烹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 烹
烹 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
____饪课既是一件严肃的事又是一种享受。
The cookery course was serious and hedonistic at the same time.
Example Sentences for 烹 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
烹饪课既是一件严肃的事又是一种享受。
pēng rèn kè jì shì yī jiàn yán sù de shì yòu shì yī zhǒng xiǎng shòu。
The cookery course was serious and hedonistic at the same time.
Cook pieces of succulent chicken with ample garlic and a little sherry.
9
他们烹调手艺不高，也不挑食。
tā mén pēng tiáo shǒu yì bù gāo， ， yě bù tiāo。
They cooked without skill and ate without discrimination.
10
做三道菜的一餐就能包含烹饪的所有乐趣。
zuò sān dào cài de yī cān jiù néng bāo hán pēng rèn de suǒ yǒu lè qù。
A three course dinner completes the culinary delights.
Cultural Notes for 烹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, cooking is highly regarded, often seen as an art form that reflects familial love and social status. The nuances of cooking techniques like 烹 are celebrated in traditional Chinese cuisine, which values both flavor and presentation.
Word Family of 烹
Words Containing This Character6
烹饪pēngrèncooking烹飪
烹调pēngtiáoto cook烹調
烹pēngcooking method
烹饪法cuisine烹飪法
烹茶to brew tea
兔死狗烹lit. to boil the hound once it caught the rabbit (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 烹饪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 烹
烹 (pēng) generally refers to cooking methods that involve frying or quick cooking, while 煮 (zhǔ) specifically means to boil.
Yes, but it may sound more formal; it's often used in culinary contexts or when discussing cooking methods.
While 烹 itself isn't commonly found in idiomatic expressions, it is foundational for understanding cooking-related phrases.
