小火

xiǎohuǒ

noun

Meanings

1 low heat (cooking)
2 small flame

Characters

Examples

小火慢炖一个小时。

Xiǎohuǒ màn dùn yí ge xiǎoshí.

Simmer on low heat for an hour.

转小火，别煮糊了。

Zhuǎn xiǎohuǒ, bié zhǔ hú le.

Turn it down to low — don't let it burn.

先大火烧开，再小火熬。

Xiān dàhuǒ shāo kāi, zài xiǎohuǒ áo.

Bring it to a boil on high first, then simmer on low.

Tips

usage

Heat scale in Chinese kitchens: 大火 (high) → 中火 (medium) → 小火 (low) → 微火 (very low). 小火慢炖 'low and slow' is the standard phrase for braises and broths.

Stroke Order

小 xiǎo

火 huǒ