中火

zhōnghuǒ

noun

Meanings

1 medium heat (cooking)

Characters

Examples

中火慢慢煎,两面金黄。

Zhōnghuǒ mànmàn jiān, liǎng miàn jīnhuáng.

Pan-fry over medium heat until both sides are golden.

先大火烧开,然后转中火。

Xiān dàhuǒ shāokāi, ránhòu zhuǎn zhōnghuǒ.

First bring to a boil on high heat, then turn down to medium.

中火炖二十分钟。

Zhōnghuǒ dùn èrshí fēnzhōng.

Simmer on medium heat for twenty minutes.

Tips

usage

Standard recipe heat levels: 小火 (low/simmer) < 中火 (medium) < 大火 / 旺火 (high) < 猛火 (blazing). Chinese stir-fry almost always calls for 大火快炒 — high heat, fast tossing — while braises and stews use 中小火.

Stroke Order

中 zhōng

火 huǒ