白玉

báiyù

noun

Meanings

她戴着一只白玉手镯。

Tā dài zhe yī zhī báiyù shǒuzhuó.

She is wearing a white jade bracelet.

豆腐又叫白玉，因色泽洁白如玉。

Dòufu yòu jiào báiyù, yīn sèzé jiébái rú yù.

Tofu is also called 'white jade' because its color is as pure white as jade.

culture

The finest white jade in China is 羊脂白玉 ('mutton-fat white jade') from 和田 in Xinjiang, prized for its creamy, slightly translucent texture.

memory

The 'tofu' nickname is a poetic touch you'll meet on Chinese menus - 翡翠白玉汤 ('jadeite-and-white-jade soup') is just spinach-and-tofu soup dressed up.

白 bái

玉 yù