Definitions

jiàng (noun) fermented soybean paste; sauce
jiàng (verb) to marinate in sauce

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "酱", with its traditional form "醬", originates from a semantic composition where the "酉" radical signifies its connection to fermentation and aged liquids, while the component "將" primarily served a phonetic role yet reinforced notions of preparation and preservation. Initially referring specifically to fermented pastes crafted from meats or grains, its meaning gradually expanded to denote a broad class of viscous, savory condiments including those derived from beans, fruits, and vegetables. Structurally, the simplified form "酱" maintains the "酉" radical but substitutes the former complex phonetic element with "丬", a streamlined component that approximates the sound. This lexical shift from a narrow category of preserved foods to a generic term for various sauces illustrates how culinary evolution and linguistic adaptation have collectively shaped the character's usage over time.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢吃果

Wǒ xǐhuān chī guǒjiàng.

I like to eat jam.

油在桌子上。

Jiàngyóu zài zhuōzi shàng.

The soy sauce is on the table.

他做菜用了很多料。

Tā zuò cài yòng le hěn duō jiàngliào.

He used a lot of sauce in cooking.

菜很好吃。

Jiàngcài hěn hǎo chī.

Pickled vegetables are delicious.

豆瓣是川菜的重要调料。

Dòubànjiàng shì chuāncài de zhòngyào tiáoliào.

Broad bean paste is an important seasoning in Sichuan cuisine.

妈妈用牛肉做了美味的晚餐。

Māma yòng jiàng niúròu zuò le měiwèi de wǎncān.

Mom made a delicious dinner with braised beef.

如果你不喜欢辣,可以换成甜

Rúguǒ nǐ bù xǐhuān làjiàng, kěyǐ huàn chéng tiánjiàng.

If you don't like chili sauce, you can change it to sweet sauce.

这种特制的汁融合了多种香料,味道非常独特。

Zhè zhǒng tèzhì de jiàngzhī rónghé le duō zhǒng xiāngliào, wèidào fēicháng dútè.

This specially made sauce blends multiple spices, and the taste is very unique.