前菜

qiáncài

noun

Measure Word

一道前菜 dào

Meanings

1 appetizer
2 starter
3 hors d'oeuvre

Characters

Examples

前菜上了一盘沙拉。

Qiáncài shàng le yī pán shālā.

A plate of salad came out as the starter.

请先看看前菜菜单。

Qǐng xiān kànkan qiáncài càidān.

Please take a look at the starters menu first.

Tips

usage

Literally 'front dish' — what comes before the main course. Common on Western and Japanese-style menus. In traditional Chinese meal structure the equivalent role is played by 凉菜 'cold dishes', but 前菜 has become standard in modern urban dining.

Stroke Order

前 qián

菜 cài