Definitions

chǎo (verb) to stir-fry; to sauté
chǎo (verb) to speculate (in markets); to hype up
chǎo (verb) to fire; to dismiss

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "炒" is structured as a phono-semantic compound combining the fire radical "火" with the component "少", which historically provided a phonetic clue, to denote the action of cooking with intense heat and movement. It entered written Chinese to specifically describe the culinary technique of stir-frying, where food is rapidly fried in a wok while being agitated, a method that became distinctly associated with Chinese cuisine. From this primary meaning, the term gradually extended into metaphorical uses, such as describing the rapid turnover of goods or securities in financial contexts or the vigorous promotion of ideas in media, while its core culinary sense remained unchanged.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我妈妈喜欢菜。

wǒ mā ma xǐ huān chǎo cài.

My mother likes to stir-fry dishes.

了一盘土豆丝。

tā chǎo le yī pán tǔ dòu sī.

He stir-fried a plate of shredded potatoes.

我中午吃了饭和面。

wǒ zhōng wǔ chī le chǎo fàn hé chǎo miàn.

I had fried rice and fried noodles for lunch.

很多人希望通过股赚钱。

hěn duō rén xī wàng tōng guò chǎo gǔ zhuàn qián.

Many people hope to make money by speculating in stocks.

媒体经常作明星的绯闻。

méi tǐ jīng cháng chǎo zuò míng xīng de fēi wén.

The media often sensationalizes celebrities' scandals.

这家公司因高房价被调查。

zhè jiā gōng sī yīn chǎo gāo fáng jià bèi diào chá.

This company is under investigation for speculating to inflate housing prices.

厨师正在用大火快速翻

chú shī zhèng zài yòng dà huǒ kuài sù fān chǎo.

The chef is quickly stir-frying over high heat.

网络谣言被别有用心的人作。

wǎng luò yáo yán bèi bié yǒu yòng xīn de rén chǎo zuò.

Online rumors are sensationalized by people with ulterior motives.