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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a dish or vegetable with 菜 (cài)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    The noun 菜 (cài) can mean either "dish" (a prepared food item) or "vegetable," depending on the context. When used in the context of a meal, it typically refers to a cooked dish, as in 我的菜 (my dish).

    Examples

    • 今天的菜都很好吃。

      Jīntiān de cài dōu hěn hǎochī.

      All the dishes today are delicious.

    • 这道菜是我妈妈做的。

      Zhè dào cài shì wǒ māma zuò de.

      This dish was made by my mom.

    • 你想点什么菜？

      Nǐ xiǎng diǎn shénme cài?

      What dishes would you like to order?