Adapting a Recipe with Substitutions | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Adapting a Recipe with Substitutions to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

食谱需要新鲜罗勒，但我们只有干香草。

shí pǔ xū yào xīn xiān luó lè, dàn wǒ men zhǐ yǒu gān xiāng cǎo. The recipe needs fresh basil, but we only have dried herbs.

我们还是可以做，只是味道会有一点不同。

wǒ men hái shì kě yǐ zuò, zhǐ shì wèi dào huì yǒu yì diǎn bù tóng. We can still make it; the flavor will just be a little different.

我们是不是应该早点加干香草，让它们在酱汁里变软？

wǒ men shì bú shì yīng gāi zǎo diǎn jiā gān xiāng cǎo, ràng tā men zài jiàng zhī lǐ biàn ruǎn? Should we add the dried herbs earlier so they soften in the sauce?

把它们早点加进去，而且少放一些，因为干香草的味道可能更浓。

bǎ tā men zǎo diǎn jiā jìn qù, ér qiě shǎo fàng yì xiē, yīn wèi gān xiāng cǎo de wèi dào kě néng gèng nóng. Add them earlier and use less, because dried herbs can taste stronger.

食谱还说要加奶油，让口感更顺滑。

shí pǔ hái shuō yào jiā nǎi yóu, ràng kǒu gǎn gèng shùn huá. The recipe also says to use cream for a smooth texture.

如果我们改用酸奶，就应该把火调小。

rú guǒ wǒ men gǎi yòng suān nǎi, jiù yīng gāi bǎ huǒ tiáo xiǎo. If we use yogurt instead, we should lower the heat.

不然酱汁可能会油水分离，看起来很奇怪。

bù rán jiàng zhī kě néng huì yóu shuǐ fēn lí, kàn qǐ lái hěn qí guài. Otherwise the sauce might separate and look strange.

最后慢慢把它搅进去，应该会有帮助。

zuì hòu màn màn bǎ tā jiǎo jìn qù, yīng gāi huì yǒu bāng zhù. Stirring it in slowly near the end should help.

如果做出来效果好，我会把这个替代方法记下来。

rú guǒ zuò chū lái xiào guǒ hǎo, wǒ huì bǎ zhè ge tì dài fāng fǎ jì xià lái. If the result turns out well, I will write down the substitution.

那下次我们就不用猜了。

nà xià cì wǒ men jiù bú yòng cāi le. Then next time we will not need to guess.

Word by Word

食谱 “食谱” means the recipe or written cooking instructions in “食谱需要新鲜罗勒”. It is the subject that specifies which ingredient is needed. It can be reused when talking about ingredients or steps in a recipe.

需要 “需要” means “needs” here: the recipe requires fresh basil. The subject comes before “需要”, and the required item follows it. This pattern is useful for saying that a person, plan, or recipe requires something.

新鲜 “新鲜” means fresh and describes the basil in “新鲜罗勒”. It contrasts with the dried herbs available later in the dialogue. It can be placed before a food or ingredient to describe its condition.

罗勒 “罗勒” means basil, the fresh herb required by the recipe. It is the ingredient named after “新鲜”. Use it when identifying basil as an ingredient in a dish.

但 “但” means “but” and introduces a contrast between what the recipe needs and what is available. In “但我们只有干香草”, it connects the shortage to the alternative ingredient. It is useful for joining two contrasting statements.

我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” and refers to the two people cooking together. In “我们只有干香草” and “我们还是可以做”, it is the subject of the statement. It can be used whenever the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.

只有 “只有” limits what is available to “only have” in “我们只有干香草”. It shows that dried herbs are available but the needed fresh basil is not. It is useful before the limited item when explaining what is the only option.

干 “干” means dried and describes the herbs in “干香草”. Here it identifies the form of the herbs that are available instead of fresh basil. It can be placed before an ingredient to describe it as dried.

香草 “香草” means herbs in “干香草”. Together with “干”, it names the dried herbs available for the recipe. It can be used when discussing herbs as cooking ingredients.

还是 “还是” means “still” in “我们还是可以做”, showing that cooking remains possible despite the missing ingredient. It expresses that the situation has not prevented the action. It can be used before a verb when an action remains possible or appropriate.

可以 “可以” means “can” or “be able to” in “可以做”. It says that the speakers are able to continue making the dish. It is commonly placed before a verb to express ability or permission.

做 “做” means make or prepare here, referring to making the dish. In “我们还是可以做”, the object is understood from the cooking context. It can be used for preparing food or carrying out an activity.

只是 “只是” means “it is just that” in “只是味道会有一点不同”. It narrows the consequence of the substitution: the dish can still be made, but its flavor will differ slightly. It is useful for presenting a limited qualification after a main statement.

味道 “味道” means flavor or taste, referring to the taste of the finished dish. In “味道会有一点不同”, it is the thing that may differ because of the ingredient substitution. It can be used when describing how food tastes.

会 “会” indicates a future or possible result in “味道会有一点不同”. It presents the different flavor as an expected consequence, not a present fact. It can be placed before a verb or description to express what may or will happen.

有 “有” contributes the meaning that there is a small degree of difference in “有一点不同”. It does not mean possession by itself in this phrase. It can be used to introduce the presence or amount of something.

一点 “一点” means “a little” in “有一点不同”, reducing the degree of the difference. It modifies the following description rather than naming a separate ingredient. It is useful for expressing a small amount or small degree.

不同 “不同” means different from the original expected flavor. In “味道会有一点不同”, it describes the result of using dried herbs. It can be used after a subject when comparing it with another thing or situation.

是不是 The whole expression “我们是不是应该早点加” asks whether the speakers should add the herbs earlier. The components “是” and “不是” form an alternative yes-no question frame, rather than giving two separate meanings here. This pattern is useful when making a suggestion in the form of a question.

应该 “应该” means should in “是不是应该早点加”, presenting earlier addition as a recommendation to consider. It expresses what seems advisable in the situation. It can be placed before a verb when giving or asking about appropriate action.

早点 “早点” means earlier, referring to an earlier point during cooking. In “早点加干香草”, it tells the listener when to add the herbs. It can be placed before an action to adjust its timing.

加 “加” means add, referring to putting the dried herbs into the sauce. In “早点加干香草”, the ingredient follows the verb. It is useful for describing adding an ingredient during cooking.

让 “让” introduces the intended result in “让它们在酱汁里变软”: adding the herbs allows or makes them become soft in the sauce. The whole construction connects an action with its result. It can be used before a person or thing followed by the result you want it to have.

它们 “它们” means them and refers back to the dried herbs. In “让它们在酱汁里变软”, it is the thing that becomes soft. It can be used as a pronoun for multiple non-human things already mentioned.

在 “在” marks the place or setting in “在酱汁里”, where the herbs soften. It introduces the location before the rest of the description. It is useful when specifying where an action or change takes place.

酱汁 “酱汁” means sauce, the liquid mixture in which the herbs soften. It is the location described by “在酱汁里”. It can be used when discussing preparing, heating, or stirring a sauce.

里 “里” means inside or in and completes the location phrase “酱汁里”. Together, “酱汁里” means inside the sauce. It follows a place noun when specifying its interior.

变 “变” means become or change in “变软”. It introduces a change from the herbs’ original condition to a softer one. It can be placed before a description of the new state.

软 “软” means soft in “变软”, describing the desired texture of the herbs after cooking in the sauce. It is the new state introduced by “变”. It can be used to describe food or other things that have a soft texture.

把 “把” is the object-marking particle in constructions such as “把它们早点加进去”, “把火调小”, and “把它搅进去”. It places the thing being handled before the action so the treatment of that thing is clear. The complete construction, rather than “把” alone, expresses the cooking action and its result.

进去 “进去” means into or in as the directional result in “加进去” and “搅进去”. It shows that the herbs or ingredient are moved into the sauce. It can follow a verb when an action moves something inward.

而且 “而且” means and also in “而且少放一些”. It adds a second instruction to adding the herbs earlier: use a smaller amount. It is useful for linking additional related information or actions.

少 “少” means less in “少放一些”, referring to using a smaller amount of dried herbs. It changes the quantity of the action rather than naming the ingredient. It can be placed before an action to indicate a reduced amount.

放 “放” means put or add in “少放一些”, referring to putting some herbs into the dish. The quantity expression comes before the verb here. It is useful for describing placing or adding an ingredient.

一些 “一些” means some or a bit in “少放一些”. It refers to an amount without specifying an exact quantity. Together with “少放”, it advises using a smaller amount.

因为 “因为” means because and introduces the reason for using less dried herbs. The explanation that follows is “干香草的味道可能更浓”. It is useful for connecting an action with its reason.

的 In “干香草的味道”, “的” links “干香草” to the noun “味道”, showing that the flavor belongs to or is associated with the dried herbs. It connects a modifying noun phrase to the noun it describes. This use is common when identifying whose or what kind of quality something is.

可能 “可能” means might or possibly in “味道可能更浓”. It presents the stronger flavor as a possible result rather than a certainty. It can be placed before a verb or description to express possibility.

更 “更” means more or even more in “更浓”. It increases the degree of the flavor compared with the usual or expected level. It is useful before a descriptive word when making a comparison of degree.

浓 “浓” means strong or rich in flavor in “味道可能更浓”. It describes the intensity of the herbs’ taste. It can be used to describe a flavor that has a stronger or richer quality.

还 “还” means also in “食谱还说”, adding another instruction from the recipe after the discussion of herbs. Here it does not mean that an action is continuing. It is useful for adding another piece of information.

说 “说” means say or state in “食谱还说要加奶油”. The recipe is treated as the source of the instruction that follows. It can be used when reporting what a person or written source says.

要 “要” means need to or are required to in the recipe instruction “要加奶油”. It introduces the action the recipe says to perform. It can be placed before a verb when stating a required or intended action.

奶油 “奶油” means cream, the ingredient the recipe says to add for a smoother texture. It follows “加” in the cooking instruction. It can be used when identifying cream as an ingredient.

口感 “口感” means texture or mouthfeel in “口感更顺滑”. It refers to how the sauce feels in the mouth, not its flavor. It can be used when describing the texture of food or a drink.

顺滑 “顺滑” means smooth in “让口感更顺滑”. It describes the desired smooth mouthfeel of the sauce. It can be used after “口感” to evaluate or describe food texture.

如果 “如果” means if and begins the condition “如果我们改用酸奶”. It introduces a possible substitution before the consequence “就应该把火调小”. It is commonly paired with “就” in conditional statements.

改用 “改用” means switch to using instead, as in “改用酸奶”. It shows that yogurt replaces the cream named in the recipe. It can be followed directly by the replacement ingredient.

酸奶 “酸奶” means yogurt, the alternative ingredient used instead of cream. It follows “改用” in the conditional cooking suggestion. It can be used when identifying yogurt as an ingredient or substitute.

就 “就” means then or in that case in “如果我们改用酸奶，就应该把火调小”. It introduces the consequence of the condition started by “如果”. This pairing is useful for explaining what action follows from a particular situation.

火 “火” refers to the cooking heat or flame in “把火调小”. It is the thing whose intensity should be adjusted when using yogurt. It can be used when discussing increasing, lowering, or controlling cooking heat.

调 “调” means adjust or turn in “把火调小”. It describes changing the heat setting rather than simply adding or removing heat. The complete phrase “把火调小” expresses lowering the cooking heat.

小 “小” means low in “把火调小”, describing a lower heat setting rather than a physically small object. It is the new level produced by adjusting the heat. It can be used after an adjustment verb to describe a lower setting.

不然 “不然” means otherwise and introduces the unwanted consequence of not lowering the heat. It connects the recommended action with the risk that follows. It is useful when warning what may happen if advice is not followed.

油水分离 The whole expression “油水分离” means that the oil and water components separate, which can happen to the sauce. In it, “油” means oil, “水” means water, and “分离” means separate; together they describe one cooking result. It is useful when explaining that a mixed sauce has split.

看起来 The whole expression “看起来很奇怪” means look or seem strange in appearance. “看” contributes looking or seeing, while “起来” helps present the resulting appearance; together they describe how something appears. It can be reused before a description of how something looks.

很 “很” intensifies the description in “看起来很奇怪”, meaning very or quite strange. It comes before “奇怪” to give the appearance a stronger degree. It is commonly placed before a descriptive word.

奇怪 “奇怪” means strange in “看起来很奇怪”, describing the sauce’s unusual appearance after separating. It evaluates how the result looks. It can be used after “看起来” to describe an appearance.

最后 “最后” means at the end or finally in “最后慢慢把它搅进去”. It places the stirring action near the end of the cooking process. It can be used at the beginning of a sentence to mark the final step.

慢慢 “慢慢” means slowly in “慢慢把它搅进去”. It describes the careful speed of stirring the ingredient into the sauce. It can be placed before an action to give instructions about pace.

它 “它” means it and refers here to the ingredient being added, understood from the yogurt substitution. In “把它搅进去”, it is the object that is stirred into the sauce. It can be used as a pronoun for a single non-human thing already understood from context.

搅 “搅” means stir in “把它搅进去”. It describes mixing the ingredient into the sauce with a stirring motion. It is useful for giving instructions about combining ingredients.

帮助 “帮助” means help in “应该会有帮助”, referring to the slow stirring helping the sauce remain combined or improve the result. It appears in the expression “有帮助”, meaning be helpful. It can be used when saying that an action or thing helps with a problem.

出来 In “做出来效果好”, “出来” contributes the result that becomes apparent after making the dish. The whole expression refers to how the dish turns out, not simply movement outward. It can follow an action when discussing the result produced by that action.

效果 “效果” means result or effect in “做出来效果好”. It evaluates how well the substitution works in the finished dish. It can be used when discussing the outcome of a method or change.

好 “好” means good or well in “效果好”, describing a successful result. It evaluates the effect of the substitution after cooking. It can be used after a noun such as a result or effect to give a positive evaluation.

我 “我” means I or me and is the subject of “我会把这个替代方法记下来”. It identifies the speaker as the person who will record the substitution. It can be used for the speaker as the subject or object of a sentence.

这个 “这个” means this in “这个替代方法”, pointing to the substitution just discussed. It identifies one specific method rather than a general category. It can be placed before a noun to refer to a particular thing nearby in the conversation.

替代 “替代” means substitution or replacement in “这个替代方法”. It describes the method of using one ingredient in place of another. It modifies “方法” here and can be used when discussing a replacement choice.

方法 “方法” means method or way in “这个替代方法”. It refers to the procedure for replacing an ingredient and handling the recipe. It can be used after a description to name a particular way of doing something.

记 In “记下来”, “记” means write down or record the substitution for future use. The complete expression “把这个替代方法记下来” says that the method will be recorded. It can be used when preserving information in writing or memory.

下来 In “记下来”, “下来” marks the result of recording something so it is kept for later. It works with “记” as part of the complete expression rather than meaning simply “down” by itself. This construction is useful when saying that information is recorded or retained.

那 “那” means then or in that case in “那下次我们就不用猜了”. It links the recorded substitution to the consequence for the next cooking attempt. It can be used to introduce a conclusion or response based on what was just said.

下次 “下次” means next time, referring to the next occasion when they make the recipe. In “下次我们就不用猜了”, it sets the time when the recorded method will be useful. It can be used to talk about a future repetition of an activity.

不用 “不用” means not need to in “不用猜了”. It says that guessing will no longer be necessary because the substitution has been recorded. It can be placed before a verb to say that an action is unnecessary.

猜 “猜” means guess in “不用猜了”. It refers to deciding how to adapt the recipe without reliable instructions. It can be used when someone must make an uncertain choice because the answer is not known.

了 The sentence-final “了” in “不用猜了” shows that the situation has changed or is now settled: next time, guessing is no longer necessary. It does not describe the completion of the guessing itself. It is useful when announcing a new situation or change in what is needed.

Grammar Points

把 + 宾语 + 动词

把火调小。

bǎ huǒ tiáo xiǎo.

Lower the heat.

“把”把受影响的对象放在动词前，强调对它采取的动作或结果。

不然 + 结果

把火调小，不然酱汁会油水分离。

bǎ huǒ tiáo xiǎo, bù rán jiàng zhī huì yóu shuǐ fēn lí.

Lower the heat, otherwise the sauce will separate.

“不然”连接条件和不希望出现的结果，意思是“否则”。

Chinese Vocabulary

不同 adj

bù tóng different

味道会有一点不同。

干香草 noun

gān xiāng cǎo dried herbs

我们只有干香草。

加进去 verb

jiā jìn qù add it/them in

把它们早点加进去。

口感 noun

kǒu gǎn texture; mouthfeel

让口感更顺滑。

罗勒 noun

luó lè basil

食谱需要新鲜罗勒。

奶油 noun

nǎi yóu cream

食谱还说要加奶油。

浓 adj

nóng strong; rich in flavor

干香草的味道可能更浓。

少放一些 phrase

shǎo fàng yì xiē use a little less

而且少放一些。

食谱 noun

shí pǔ recipe

食谱需要新鲜罗勒。

味道 noun

wèi dào flavor; taste

味道会有一点不同。

新鲜 adj

xīn xiān fresh

新鲜罗勒

早点 adv

zǎo diǎn earlier

我们是不是应该早点加干香草?

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

use a little less

Show Answer

少放一些

basil

Show Answer

罗勒

earlier

Show Answer

早点

cream

Show Answer

奶油