黄瓜 (huángguā) · cucumber

Measure Word

一根黄瓜 gēn

Meanings

1 cucumber

About the ingredient

蔬菜 Vegetables · In season: summer

Chinese cucumbers are long and slim, usually with bumpy, prickly skin, and crisp, mild flesh. They are eaten raw far more than cooked: in cold dishes, shredded on noodles, or whole like fruit; cooked, they go into stir-fries and soups.

Also called 青瓜

Used in 21 dishes

烤鸭 kǎoyā

黄瓜炒鸡蛋 huánggua chǎo jīdàn

黄瓜炒肉片 huánggua chǎo ròupiàn

Characters

Literally 'yellow melon' - despite being green when fresh, cucumbers turn yellow when ripe.

Examples

HSK 5

请给我两根黄瓜。

Qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng gēn huángguā.

Please give me two cucumbers.

HSK 5

黄瓜可以生吃也可以炒着吃。

Huángguā kěyǐ shēng chī yě kěyǐ chǎo zhe chī.

Cucumbers can be eaten raw or stir-fried.

HSK 7-9

我喜欢吃凉拌黄瓜。

Wǒ xǐhuan chī liángbàn huángguā.

I like eating cucumber salad.

Tips

history

黄瓜 was originally called 胡瓜 ('foreign melon') because it was introduced from Central Asia. The name was changed during the Later Zhao dynasty.

culture

拍黄瓜 (smashed cucumber salad) is one of China's most beloved cold dishes. Cucumbers are smashed with a knife, then dressed with garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil.