Cooking Class Techniques and Confidence | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Cooking Class Techniques and Confidence to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

这门烹饪课比我想象的更有用。

Zhè mén pēng rèn kè bǐ wǒ xiǎng xiàng de gèng yǒu yòng. The cooking class was more useful than I expected.

你从厨师那里学到了什么技巧？

Nǐ cóng chú shī nà lǐ xué dào le shén me jì qiǎo? What technique did you learn from the chef?

她教我们慢慢调味，并且经常尝一尝。

Tā jiāo wǒmen màn màn tiáo wèi, bìng qiě jīng cháng cháng yi cháng. She showed us how to season slowly and taste often.

这是一种实用的习惯，而不只是一份食谱。

Zhè shì yì zhǒng shí yòng de xí guàn, ér bù zhǐ shì yí fèn shí pǔ. That is a practical habit, not just a recipe.

我还学会了更好地控制分量。

Wǒ hái xué huì le gèng hǎo de kòng zhì fēn liàng. I also learned how to control portion size better.

你有没有得到别人对你那道菜的反馈？

Nǐ yǒu méi yǒu dé dào bié rén duì nǐ nà dào cài de fǎn kuì? Did you get feedback on your dish?

酱汁做得不错，但是我把意大利面煮得太久了。

Jiàng zhī zuò de bú cuò, dàn shì wǒ bǎ yì dà lì miàn zhǔ de tài jiǔ le. The sauce worked, but I cooked the pasta too long.

只要掌握好时间，就很容易改进。

Zhǐ yào zhǎng wò hǎo shí jiān, jiù hěn róng yì gǎi jìn. That is easy to improve with timing.

上完这门课，我更有信心邀请朋友来吃晚饭了。

Shàng wán zhè mén kè, wǒ gèng yǒu xìn xīn yāo qǐng péng you lái chī wǎn fàn le. The class gave me more confidence to invite friends for dinner.

那也算值得了，就算你只学到了一点东西。

Nà yě suàn zhí de le, jiù suàn nǐ zhǐ xué dào le yì diǎn dōng xi. Then it was worth it, even if you only learned a few things.

Word by Word

这 “这” means “this” and points to the cooking class being discussed in “这门烹饪课”. It commonly comes before a measure word and noun, as in “这 + measure word + noun”. Use it when referring to something nearby or currently under discussion.

门 In “这门烹饪课”, “门” is the measure word for a class or course. The pattern is “这门 + course or class”. Use it when identifying a particular course.

烹饪 “烹饪” means cooking in “这门烹饪课”. It specifies the subject of the course rather than describing one particular cooking action. Use “烹饪” before a noun when talking about cooking as a subject or activity.

课 “课” means class or lesson in “这门烹饪课”. Together with a subject, it identifies an organized learning session. Use “课” after a subject or course description when referring to a class.

比 “比” introduces the thing used for comparison in “比我想象的更有用”. It shows that the cooking class is being compared with the speaker’s expectation. A reusable comparison pattern is “A比B + adjective”.

我 “我” means “I” or “me” and refers to the speaker in “我想象的”. Here it identifies whose expectation is being discussed. Use “我” as the subject or object when referring to yourself.

想象 “想象” means imagine in “我想象的”, referring here to what the speaker had imagined or expected. The form “我想象的” describes the expectation belonging to the speaker. A reusable pattern is “想象 + an object” when describing something imagined.

的 In “我想象的”, “的” links the preceding phrase to the thing being described, namely the expected usefulness of the class. It helps turn “我想象” into a description of what was imagined. Use “的” after a phrase when that phrase modifies a following noun or implied thing.

更 “更” means more or even more in “更有用”. It shows that the class has a higher degree of usefulness than the comparison point. Use “更” before an adjective or quality when making a stronger comparison.

有用 “有用” means useful in “更有用”. It describes the cooking class as providing practical value. Use “有用” after a subject to say that something is useful.

你 “你” means “you” and addresses the other speaker in “你从厨师那里学到了什么技巧？”. It identifies the person whose learning experience is being asked about. Use “你” when speaking directly to one person.

从 “从” means from in “从厨师那里”, marking the source of the learning. It shows that the chef is the person or source from whom the technique was learned. A reusable pattern is “从 + person or place + verb”.

厨师 “厨师” means chef in “从厨师那里”. It identifies the cooking professional who taught the class. Use “厨师” as the person after “从” when describing learning or receiving something from a chef.

那里 In “从厨师那里”, “那里” means there or from that person’s side, completing the source expression. Together, the phrase identifies where the learning came from. Use “那里” after a person or place when marking a source with “从”.

学到 “学到” means learn or acquire knowledge in “学到了什么技巧”. The ending “到” shows that the learning reached an acquired result. A reusable pattern is “学到 + knowledge, skill, or information”.

了 In “学到了”, “了” presents the learning as completed or achieved. The same marker also appears at the end of “上完这门课，我更有信心邀请朋友来吃晚饭了”, where it presents the new confidence as now established. Use “了” when a completed event or newly established situation is relevant.

什么 “什么” means what in “什么技巧”. It asks the listener to identify the technique that was learned. Use “什么 + noun” when asking which thing or type of thing is involved.

技巧 “技巧” means technique or skill in “什么技巧”. Here it refers to a practical cooking method learned from the chef. Use “技巧” for a specific method that helps someone perform an activity.

她 “她” means “she” and refers to the female chef in “她教我们”. It identifies the person who showed the speakers how to cook. Use “她” as the subject when referring to a woman.

教 “教” means teach in “她教我们”. It introduces the person being taught and the knowledge or action being taught. A reusable pattern is “教 + person + skill or action”.

我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” in “她教我们”. It refers to the group receiving the instruction, including the speaker. Use “我们” as the subject or object when referring to yourself together with other people.

慢慢 “慢慢” means slowly in “慢慢调味”. It tells the learner to add seasoning gradually rather than all at once. Use “慢慢” before a verb when describing an action carried out gradually.

调味 “调味” means season food in “慢慢调味”. It refers to adding or adjusting seasoning while cooking. Use “调味” for the action of giving food its desired flavor.

并且 “并且” means and or furthermore in “并且经常尝一尝”. It adds a second recommended cooking action to the first one. Use “并且” to connect two related actions or statements.

经常 “经常” means often in “经常尝一尝”. It indicates that tasting should happen repeatedly during cooking. Use “经常” before a verb when describing a frequent action.

尝 “尝” means taste in “尝一尝”. It refers to tasting the food to check its flavor. Use “尝” before the food being tasted, or in “尝一尝” for a brief tasting action.

一 In “尝一尝”, “一” is part of the repeated verb pattern and does not literally mean one. It makes the tasting action sound brief or light. A reusable pattern is “verb + 一 + the same verb”, such as “看一看” for taking a look.

是 “是” means is or be in “这是一种实用的习惯”. It links the subject to the description that follows. Use “是” to identify what something is or how it is classified.

种 In “一种实用的习惯”, “种” is the measure word for a kind or type. It presents the habit as one type of practical habit. Use “一种 + noun” when identifying a kind or type of something.

实用 “实用” means practical in “实用的习惯”. It describes a habit that is useful in actual cooking. Use “实用的” before a noun to describe something as practical.

习惯 “习惯” means habit in “一种实用的习惯”. Here it refers to seasoning slowly and tasting often as a regular cooking practice. Use “习惯” for a repeated way of behaving or doing something.

而 In “而不只是一份食谱”, “而” connects the practical habit with a contrasting description. It helps present the idea as more than merely a recipe. Use “而” to connect two related statements when the second adds a contrast or qualification.

不 “不” means not in “不只是一份食谱”. It negates the idea that the habit is only a recipe. A reusable pattern is “不只是 + noun or description” for saying that something is more than one limited category.

只 “只” means only in “不只是一份食谱”. With “不”, it helps express that the habit is not limited to being a recipe. Use “只” before the restricted element when stating that something is limited to one thing.

份 In “一份食谱”, “份” is the measure word for a portion, copy, or individual item such as a recipe. It identifies one recipe as a separate unit. Use “一份 + noun” when counting an individual portion or copy.

食谱 “食谱” means recipe in “一份食谱”. It refers to written instructions for preparing food. Use “食谱” when discussing the instructions themselves rather than the general cooking technique.

还 “还” means also in “我还学会了”. It adds another thing the speaker learned after mentioning the earlier technique. Use “还” before a verb or description when adding another related point.

学会 “学会” means learn how to or master in “学会了更好地控制分量”. It emphasizes that the speaker acquired the ability to perform the action. A reusable pattern is “学会 + action or skill”.

好 In “更好地控制”, “好” contributes the meaning of doing something well or more effectively. It is part of “更好地”, which describes the quality of controlling portion size. Use “更好地 + verb” when saying that an action can be done more effectively.

地 In “更好地控制”, “地” marks “更好” as describing how the following action is performed. It connects the manner phrase to “控制”. Use “地” after a descriptive phrase before a verb when expressing manner.

控制 “控制” means control in “控制分量”. Here it refers to managing how much food is prepared or served. A reusable pattern is “控制 + thing or amount” when describing what is being managed.

分量 “分量” means portion size in “控制分量”. It refers to the amount of food rather than the food’s flavor or ingredients. Use “分量” when discussing how large or small a serving should be.

有 In “有没有得到反馈”, “有” forms part of a yes-or-no question about whether the event happened. It is not being used here simply to say that someone possesses something. Use “有没有 + verb phrase” to ask whether someone has had or received an experience.

没有 In “有没有得到反馈”, “没有” combines with “有” to ask whether feedback was received. The pattern presents the positive and negative possibilities in one question. Use “有没有 + verb phrase” when checking whether an event has occurred.

得到 “得到” means get or receive in “得到别人对你那道菜的反馈”. It describes receiving feedback about the dish. A reusable pattern is “得到 + information, help, feedback, or another received thing”.

别人 “别人” means other people or others in “别人对你那道菜的反馈”. It refers to people other than the speaker and listener who gave opinions about the dish. Use “别人” when the specific people do not need to be named.

对 In “对你那道菜的反馈”, “对” marks what the feedback concerns. It connects the feedback with the dish being evaluated. A reusable pattern is “对 + person or thing + feedback, opinion, or reaction”.

那 In “那道菜”, “那” means that and points to a particular dish already associated with the speaker. It is a demonstrative here, not the word for then. Use “那” before a measure word and noun when referring to something specific at a distance or already identified.

道 In “那道菜”, “道” is the measure word for a dish or course of food. It identifies the dish as one separate item in a meal. Use “一道” or “这道/那道 + 菜” when referring to a particular prepared dish.

菜 “菜” means dish or food in “那道菜”. With the measure word “道”, it refers to one prepared dish. Use “菜” for a dish served as food or for food in a meal.

反馈 “反馈” means feedback in “得到别人对你那道菜的反馈”. It refers to other people’s response or evaluation of the dish. Use “得到反馈” when talking about receiving comments on work or performance.

酱汁 “酱汁” means sauce in “酱汁做得不错”. It identifies the liquid or semi-liquid part of the dish being evaluated. Use “酱汁” when discussing a sauce as a cooking component.

做 In “酱汁做得不错”, “做” means make or cook and refers to preparing the sauce. It is followed by “得不错”, which evaluates how well the preparation was done. Use “做” for making food or preparing a dish.

得 In “做得不错”, “得” connects the verb “做” with the evaluation “不错”. It introduces a complement describing the result or quality of the action. A reusable pattern is “verb + 得 + evaluation” for describing how an action was performed.

不错 “不错” means good or not bad in “酱汁做得不错”. It gives a positive evaluation of how the sauce was prepared. Use “不错” after “得” to say that an action or result turned out well.

但是 “但是” means but or however in “但是我把意大利面煮得太久了”. It introduces the problem that contrasts with the sauce being good. Use “但是” to connect a positive or expected point with an opposing point.

把 In “把意大利面煮得太久了”, “把” marks “意大利面” as the object being acted on and brings it before the verb. The sentence then describes what happened to that pasta. A reusable pattern is “把 + object + verb + complement”.

意大利面 “意大利面” means pasta in “把意大利面煮得太久了”. It is the food affected by the cooking action. Use “意大利面” when referring to pasta as a dish or ingredient.

煮 “煮” means boil or cook in “煮得太久了”. It describes cooking the pasta in hot water. Use “煮” before the food being boiled or cooked.

太 “太” means too or excessively in “太久了”. It shows that the cooking time went beyond the desired length. Use “太 + adjective or duration” when describing an excessive degree.

久 “久” means a long time in “煮得太久了”. It measures the length of the cooking action, which was excessive here. Use “久” with “太” to say that something lasted too long.

只要 “只要” means as long as or provided that in “只要掌握好时间”. It introduces the condition considered sufficient for improvement. It commonly pairs with “就” to connect a condition and its result.

掌握 “掌握” means grasp or manage in “掌握好时间”. Here it refers to managing the cooking timing correctly. Use “掌握” before a skill, method, amount, or timing that someone needs to control or understand.

时间 “时间” means time and, in “掌握好时间”, refers specifically to timing. It is the timing that needs to be managed so the pasta improves. Use “掌握好时间” when saying that timing must be handled correctly.

就 In “只要掌握好时间，就很容易改进”, “就” introduces the consequence of the condition. It shows that improvement follows once the timing is managed well. A reusable pattern is “只要 + condition，就 + result”.

很 “很” means very or quite in “很容易改进”. It adds degree to the description of how easy improvement is. Use “很” before an adjective when expressing a high degree.

容易 “容易” means easy in “很容易改进”. It describes improvement as requiring little difficulty once the timing is correct. Use “容易 + verb” when saying that an action is easy to carry out.

改进 “改进” means improve in “很容易改进”. It refers to making the cooking result better, especially by correcting the timing. It can be followed by the skill, method, or result that is being improved.

上 In “上完这门课”, “上” means attend or take a class. It refers to participating in the cooking course rather than moving upward. Use “上 + class or course” when describing attendance.

完 In “上完这门课”, “完” is a completion complement showing that attending the course was finished. It follows the action verb “上”. A reusable pattern is “verb + 完” when emphasizing that an action has been completed.

信心 “信心” means confidence in “更有信心邀请朋友来吃晚饭”. It refers to the speaker’s increased confidence to host friends. A common reuse pattern is “有信心 + verb” for saying that someone feels confident about doing something.

邀请 “邀请” means invite in “邀请朋友来吃晚饭”. It describes asking friends to come for dinner. A reusable pattern is “邀请 + person + 来/去 + activity”, and the dialogue uses “邀请朋友来吃晚饭”.

朋友 “朋友” means friend in “邀请朋友”. It identifies the people the speaker wants to invite for dinner. Use “朋友” after “邀请” when naming the people being invited.

来 In “来吃晚饭”, “来” means come and shows movement toward the speaker’s place or the shared dinner. It introduces the activity the friends are invited to join. Use “来 + verb” when inviting someone to come and do something.

吃 “吃” means eat in “吃晚饭”. It describes taking the dinner meal. Use “吃” before a meal name or food when saying that someone eats it.

晚饭 “晚饭” means dinner in “吃晚饭”. It identifies the meal that the speaker wants to share with friends. Use “吃晚饭” when referring to having dinner.

也 In “也算值得了”, “也” means also or even and adds this conclusion to the earlier discussion. It suggests that the class can still be considered worthwhile despite limited learning. Use “也” before a verb or evaluation when adding another applicable point.

算 In “也算值得了”, “算” means count as or be considered. It presents the class as qualifying as worthwhile. Use “算 + description” when making a judgment about how something should be regarded.

值得 “值得” means be worth it in “算值得了”. It evaluates the cooking class as valuable enough to justify the time or effort. Use “值得” before an action or as a conclusion about whether something was worthwhile.

就算 “就算” means even if in “就算你只学到了一点东西”. It introduces a condition that does not cancel the speaker’s conclusion that the class was worthwhile. Use “就算 + condition” when acknowledging a limiting or unfavorable possibility.

点 In “一点东西”, “点” means a small amount or a little. It makes the amount of what was learned sound limited rather than counting separate items. Use “一点 + noun” when referring to a small amount of something.

东西 “东西” means thing or something in “一点东西”. Here it refers generally to the things the learner gained from the class, not to a physical object. Use “东西” when the specific item or items do not need to be named.

Grammar Points

值得 + 动词

这些技巧值得掌握。

Zhè xiē jì qiǎo zhí de zhǎng wò.

These techniques are worth mastering.

值得后面可以接动词，表示做某事有价值；英语通常用“be worth + 动名词”表达。

Chinese Vocabulary

尝一尝 phrase

cháng yi cháng have a taste; taste

厨师 noun

chú shī chef

调味 verb

tiáo wèi season; add seasoning

技巧 noun

jì qiǎo technique; skill

经常 adv

jīng cháng often

慢慢 adv

màn màn slowly

烹饪课 noun

pēng rèn kè cooking class

实用 adj

shí yòng practical; useful

习惯 noun

xí guàn habit

想象 verb

xiǎng xiàng imagine; expectation

学到 verb

xué dào learn; acquire

有用 adj

yǒu yòng useful

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

season; add seasoning

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调味

chef

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厨师

slowly

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慢慢

habit

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习惯