Checking ingredients and safe substitutions | Learn Chinese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 开始做饭前，我们先检查一下食材和替代品。

   Before we start cooking, let's check the ingredients and any substitutions.

   开始

   begin; start

   做饭

   cook; prepare a meal

   前

   before

   我们

   we; us

   先

   first; beforehand

   检查

   check; inspect

   一下

   briefly; a little

   食材

   ingredients

   替代品

   substitute; replacement

   More detail

   开始 is the verb “to begin” or “to start.” Here it introduces the activity that follows: 开始做饭 means “start cooking.” Its base form is already 开始; it does not need a separate tense ending here. For example, 我们开始学习。 means “We start studying.” 做饭 is a verb-object expression: 做 means “make/do,” and 饭 refers to a meal or cooked food in this expression. Together, 做饭 means “cook” or “prepare a meal.” The object is part of the useful expression, so this is not merely the general verb 做 by itself. For example, 她每天做饭。 means “She cooks every day.” 前 means “before” when it follows a time, event, or clause. In 开始做饭前, the clause 开始做饭 comes before 前, producing the pattern [event] 前 = “before [event].” Chinese commonly places this time expression before the main clause, as here. For example, 出门前，请关灯。 means “Before going out, please turn off the light.” 我们 is the pronoun “we” or “us.” In this sentence, the fixed translation supports the inclusive reading “we” referring to the speaker and the addressee: “before we start cooking.” The form 我们 itself does not mark a separate grammatical gender distinction. Unlike the English distinction between “we” and “us,” its form does not change according to its syntactic role. 先 means “first” or “before doing something else.” It places the checking action earlier in the intended sequence; it does not by itself mean that there is a numeric count of items. 先 can appear before the verb: 我们先吃饭。 means “We’ll eat first.” 检查 is the verb “to check” or “to inspect,” especially by looking carefully to confirm something. In this sentence it is the action the speakers propose to do. For example, 请检查地址。 means “Please check the address.” 一下 follows a verb and makes the action sound brief, light, or limited in scope. In 检查一下, it softens the request or proposal to “check briefly” / “take a quick look”; it does not mean that the checking is necessarily incomplete. This is a useful pattern: verb + 一下, as in 看一下 “take a look.” 食材 is the noun “ingredients,” specifically the food materials used to prepare a dish. It is a plural-capable noun in context; Chinese nouns generally do not require an English-style plural ending here. For example, 这些食材很新鲜。 means “These ingredients are very fresh.” 替代品 is the noun “substitute” or “replacement,” here meaning an alternative ingredient or item that can replace another one. The compound contains 替代 “replace/substitute” and 品 “product/item,” but 替代品 functions as one noun in this sentence. For example, 我们需要找到牛奶的替代品。 means “We need to find a substitute for milk.” The structure 开始做饭前 sets the time: “before starting to cook.” 我们先检查一下 identifies the speakers and places the checking first, while 食材和替代品 coordinates two objects with 和 (“and”): the ingredients and the substitutes. Together, the utterance means: “Before we start cooking, let’s first check the ingredients and any substitutions.”

2. 食谱需要核桃，而且有一位客人对坚果过敏。

   The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.

   食谱

   recipe

   需要

   need; call for

   核桃

   walnuts

   而且

   and; moreover

   有

   have; there is/are

   一位客人

   one guest

   对坚果过敏

   be allergic to nuts

   More detail

   食谱 means “recipe.” It is a noun and can be reused in compounds such as 食谱书 (“recipe book”) or in a sentence like 这本食谱很实用。 (“This recipe book is very practical.”) The word refers to the recipe itself, not to the ingredients. 需要 means “need” or, as here, “call for.” It is a verb: 需要 + noun says that something requires or needs something. Example: 这个菜需要盐。 means “This dish needs salt.” 核桃 means “walnuts.” It is a noun referring specifically to walnuts, rather than nuts in general. 坚果 later has the broader meaning “nuts” as a food category. Example: 我喜欢吃核桃。 means “I like eating walnuts.” 而且 connects the second statement to the first and adds information, with a meaning like “and also” or “moreover.” It commonly links two clauses: 他会做饭，而且做得很好。 means “He can cook, and he does it very well.” 有 means “there is/are” in this sentence. Here it introduces the existence of a guest: 有 + noun can present someone or something as existing or being present. This is different from using 有 for possession, as in 我有一本书。 (“I have a book.”) 一位客人 means “one guest.” 一 explicitly gives the number one here, while 位 is a respectful measure word commonly used for people. 客人 means “guest.” The phrase pattern is number + measure word + noun, as in 两位客人 (“two guests”). 对坚果过敏 expresses “be allergic to nuts.” 对 marks what the reaction is directed toward, 坚果 means “nuts,” and 过敏 means “be allergic” or “have an allergic reaction.” In the fixed sentence, 过敏 describes the guest’s condition; it is not a request or a prediction. The reusable pattern is 对 + thing + 过敏, for example: 她对花生过敏。 means “She is allergic to peanuts.” Together, 食谱需要核桃 says “the recipe calls for walnuts,” and 而且有一位客人对坚果过敏 adds that there is one guest who is allergic to nuts. Thus the whole utterance means: “The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.”

3. 那我们就完全不放核桃。

   Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.

   那我们就

   then we...

   完全

   completely

   不放

   leave out; not put in

   核桃

   walnuts

   More detail

   那我们就 combines 那 (“then” or “in that case”), 我们 (“we”), and 就, which marks the resulting decision or action. Here it presents the speakers’ response: “then we will/should…”. 我们 is the first-person plural pronoun “we”; Chinese does not mark this pronoun for grammatical gender. 完全 is an adverb meaning “completely” or “entirely”. It strengthens the following negative action, making the omission total rather than partial. For example, 完全不加糖 means “add no sugar at all.” 不放 means “not put in” or, in this context, “leave out”. 放 is the base verb “to put/place”; 不 negates it. With a verb, 不 commonly marks a present, habitual, intended, or otherwise non-past negative situation; here the fixed translation identifies the intended decision not to include the walnuts. The phrase does not mean that the walnuts are physically removed after being added. 核桃 is the noun “walnuts”. It is a food noun and does not change form for singular or plural in this expression; number is understood from context. In this sentence it refers to the walnuts that will be excluded from the dish. Together, 那我们就 sets up the consequence or decision, 完全不放 says to omit something entirely, and 核桃 identifies what is omitted. The whole utterance therefore means: “Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.”

4. 烤过的种子仍然可以让这道菜有些酥脆的口感。

   Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.

   烤过的

   toasted

   种子

   seeds

   仍然

   still

   可以

   can

   让

   give; make

   这道

   this (for a dish)

   菜

   dish

   有些

   some; a little

   酥脆的

   crispy

   口感

   texture; mouthfeel

   More detail

   烤过的 describes 种子 as seeds that have been toasted or roasted. It is built from 烤 “to roast/toast,” 过, which marks an action as having occurred before, and 的, which turns the description into an attributive modifier. In this sentence, the whole modifier means “toasted,” not simply “to roast.” 种子 means “seeds.” The plural meaning is natural here from context; Chinese nouns generally do not change form to mark plural number. In the surrounding exchange, these are the seeds being used instead of walnuts. 仍然 means “still” and shows that the following possibility remains true despite a change or consideration. A reusable pattern is 仍然 + verb/adjective, as in 他仍然很累 — “He is still very tired.” 可以 means “can” or “be able to.” Here it says that the toasted seeds can produce the described result; it is not primarily a request for permission. The fixed translation presents this possibility as “would still give.” 让 is a causative verb meaning “make,” “let,” or “cause.” Its useful pattern is A 让 B + description: A causes B to have or become the described state. Here, 让 introduces 这道菜 as the thing receiving the effect. For example, 柠檬让汤更清爽 means “Lemon makes the soup more refreshing.” 这道 combines 这 “this” with 道, a classifier commonly used for dishes or courses. 道 is not a standalone translation of “dish” here; it classifies the following noun. The demonstrative identifies the dish in question without changing the noun’s form. 菜 means “dish” in this sentence. Together, 这道菜 means “this dish.” 菜 can also refer to food or a vegetable in other contexts, but the classifier 道 and the fixed translation support the meaning “dish” here. 有些 means “some” or “a little,” indicating a limited degree. In 有些 + adjective, it can soften the extent of a quality. Here it limits how much crisp texture the dish has; it does not mean that the dish consists of a counted number of textures. 酥脆的 means “crispy” or “crunchy.” The adjective is formed from 酥脆 “crispy/crunchy” plus 的, which lets it modify the noun 口感. The 的 belongs to the adjective phrase; 口感 is its noun, not its base form. A related contrast is 柔软的 — “soft,” used for a different texture. 口感 means “texture” or “mouthfeel,” especially the sensation food produces when eaten. It is a noun, so 酥脆的口感 is literally “a crispy texture.” For example, 这块饼干口感很脆 means “This biscuit has a very crisp texture.” Putting the parts together, 烤过的种子 is “toasted seeds”; 仍然可以让 says they can still cause an effect; and 这道菜有些酥脆的口感 says that this dish has some crispy or crunchy texture. The whole utterance therefore means: “Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.”

5. 我们改用种子，并在做饭时把过敏提示放在显眼的地方。

   Let's use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.

   我们

   we; us

   改用

   switch to; use instead

   种子

   seeds

   并

   and

   在做饭时

   while cooking

   过敏提示

   allergy note

   放在

   place in; put in

   显眼

   conspicuous; easy to notice

   地方

   place; spot

   More detail

   我们 means “we/us” here: the speaker includes themself and at least one other participant. Chinese 我 means “I/me,” while 我们 marks a plural group; it does not by itself specify exactly how many people are included. 改用 means “switch to/use instead.” It is a verb construction formed from 改 “change” and 用 “use”: 改用 + noun presents a replacement choice. Example: 我们改用米粉。 — “We’ll switch to rice flour.” The replacement meaning comes from the construction, not from 用 alone. 种子 means “seeds.” 种子 is a noun that can refer to seeds generally; a more specific kind can be placed before it, as in 南瓜种子 “pumpkin seeds.” In this sentence, the translation identifies seeds as the item to use instead, without specifying a particular variety. 并 links this action with the following coordinated action, meaning “and.” It is a compact, relatively written-style connector. Here it joins 改用种子 with the instruction about keeping the allergy note visible; it does not itself express the reason for either action. 在做饭时 means “while cooking.” The pattern 在 + activity + 时 frames the time during which another action occurs: 在学习时 means “while studying.” 做饭 means “cook/prepare food,” and 时 marks the relevant time period. Example: 在做饭时，请关好门。 — “While cooking, please close the door.” 过敏提示 means “allergy note” or “allergy notice.” It is a noun phrase: 过敏 refers to an allergy or allergic reaction, and 提示 is a notice or prompt that provides a warning or reminder. The phrase identifies the information as an allergy-related notice; it does not state which person has the allergy. 放在 means “put/place in or at.” This is the placement pattern 放 + 在 + location: 放 is the verb “put,” and 在 introduces the place. Example: 把书放在桌上。 — “Put the book on the table.” In the fixed sentence, the object is the allergy note and the location is supplied by the following phrase. 显眼 means “conspicuous” or “easy to notice.” It describes something that stands out visually or is readily noticed. In 显眼的地方, 的 connects this descriptive word to the noun 地方; the phrase means “a conspicuous place.” 地方 means “place” or “spot.” In this sentence it is the location noun in 显眼的地方, so the note is placed in a spot that is easy to notice. Example: 请把标签放在显眼的地方。 — “Please put the label in a conspicuous place.” Together, 我们改用种子 says “let’s switch to seeds/use seeds instead.” 并 coordinates that choice with the next action. 在做饭时 sets the time for the placement action, and 把过敏提示放在显眼的地方 uses the 把 + object + verb + location pattern to foreground the allergy note as the thing being placed. The whole utterance therefore means: “Let’s use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.”

6. 因为这是烘焙菜肴，所以我们还是应该严格按照用量来做。

   Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.

   因为

   because

   这是

   this is

   烘焙菜肴

   baked dish

   所以

   so

   我们

   we

   还是

   still

   应该

   should

   严格

   closely

   按照

   according to

   用量

   measurements

   做

   do

   More detail

   因为 introduces the reason for what follows: “because …”. A common reusable pattern is 因为 A，所以 B (“because A, so B”). Chinese can also omit 所以 when the relationship is already clear. 这是 means “this is”. 这 is a demonstrative meaning “this”; 是 is the verb “to be”. In this sentence, 这 points to the dish being discussed, as reflected by the fixed translation. 烘焙菜肴 means “a baked dish” here. 烘焙 describes the cooking method, while 菜肴 means “dish” or “prepared food”. The compound can be reused with other method-plus-food combinations, for example 烘焙食品 (“baked food”). 所以 marks the result or consequence: “so” or “therefore”. Together, 因为这是烘焙菜肴，所以… gives the reason before the recommendation. 我们 means “we” or “us”. It is the first-person plural pronoun; Chinese pronouns do not change form for grammatical gender. 还是 means “still” in this sentence, expressing that the recommendation remains valid. This is different from its use in a choice question, where it can mean “or”, as in 你喝茶还是咖啡？ (“Do you drink tea or coffee?”). 应该 means “should” or “ought to”. It expresses a recommendation or expected action, not a completed action. A reusable pattern is 应该 + verb, as in 我们应该休息。 (“We should rest.”) 严格 means “strictly” or “closely” here and modifies the action 做. It describes careful adherence to a standard; it is not the same as 快 (“fast”), which describes speed. 按照 introduces the standard, instructions, or basis that an action follows: “according to” or “in accordance with”. The pattern 按照 A 来做 means “do it according to A”; 来 links the standard to the action rather than adding a separate translated action here. 用量 means “the amount to use” or “measurements”, especially for ingredients. 用 means “use” and 量 means “amount”, but 用量 is a fixed noun referring to the prescribed quantity for use. It is different from 数量, the general quantity or number of things. 做 means “to do” or, in this context, “to make/cook”. Its exact English translation depends on what is being made. Here it is the final action in 按照用量来做, “make it according to the measurements”. Putting the parts together: 因为这是烘焙菜肴 gives the reason, “since this is a baked dish”; 所以 introduces the consequence; and 我们还是应该严格按照用量来做 means “we should still make it by following the measurements closely.” The whole utterance is therefore: “Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.”

7. 我们的牛奶够吗，还是我应该再买一些？

   Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?

   我们的

   our

   牛奶

   milk

   够

   be enough

   吗

   yes–no question particle

   还是

   or

   我应该

   I should

   再

   again; additionally

   买

   buy

   一些

   some

   More detail

   我们的 means “our” here. 我们 means “we/us” and is the plural first-person pronoun; 我 is its singular counterpart. Chinese does not mark gender in these pronouns. 的 links 我们 to the following noun to show possession or association: 我们的牛奶 = “our milk.” Example: 这是我们的房间。 — “This is our room.” 牛奶 is the noun “milk.” Chinese commonly uses material nouns without an article, so 我们的牛奶 can refer to the milk the speakers have without stating a quantity. 够 means “be enough” in this sentence. It describes whether an available amount satisfies a need. It can be used with a noun or quantity: 时间够吗？ — “Is there enough time?” Its opposite in this use is 不够, “not enough.” 吗 is placed at the end of a statement to turn it into a yes–no question. Thus 牛奶够 means “the milk is enough,” while 牛奶够吗 asks “Is the milk enough?” 还是 means “or” in an alternative question. The pattern A 还是 B？ asks the listener to choose between A and B. Here it connects the question about sufficiency with the alternative of buying more. 我应该 combines 我, “I,” with 应该, “should; be expected to.” 应该 expresses an appropriate or advisable action; it does not itself say that the action will happen. Example: 我应该早点睡。 — “I should go to bed earlier.” 再 means “again” or “additionally” when referring to a further action. Before 买, it indicates buying an additional amount, so 再买 means “buy more” in this context. The exact amount is not specified. 买 is the verb “buy.” Its form does not change for person or tense in this sentence. Time and completion can instead be shown by context or other words. Example: 我买牛奶。 — “I buy milk” or “I am buying milk,” depending on context. 一些 means “some” or “a certain amount.” After 买, 买一些 means “buy some.” Together with 再, 再买一些 means “buy some more,” without giving an exact quantity. Whole utterance: 我们的牛奶够吗 asks whether the milk the speakers have is sufficient. 还是我应该再买一些 presents the alternative action of the speaker buying some more. Together, the sentence means “Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?”

8. 牛奶够了，但使用前要检查一下日期。

   We have enough, but check the date before using it.

   牛奶

   milk

   够了

   be enough

   使用前

   before using it

   检查

   check; inspect

   一下

   briefly; as a light softener

   日期

   date

   More detail

   牛奶 means “milk.” It is a noun and can be reused directly in phrases such as 牛奶很新鲜 (“The milk is fresh”). In this utterance, the fixed translation identifies it as the thing they have enough of and will use. 够了 means “is enough” or “there is enough now.” The useful pattern is X 够了, meaning that X is sufficient. Here, 了 presents the situation as reaching or holding a sufficient state; it does not make 够 a past-tense form. For example: 钱够了。— “The money is enough now.” 使用前 means “before using it.” 使用 is the verb “use,” and 前 means “before” when placed after a verb or noun in this pattern: V + 前 = “before doing V.” The translation identifies the understood object of 使用 as the milk. Example: 出门前检查门。— “Check the door before going out.” 检查 means “check” or “inspect.” It is a lexical verb for examining something to make sure it is correct, safe, or suitable. A reusable pattern is 检查 + object, as in 检查地址 (“check the address”). 一下 makes the action sound light and limited, roughly “check briefly” or “check once.” In 检查一下, it softens the request or instruction; it does not necessarily assert a measurable duration or exactly one check. Example: 请看一下。— “Please take a look.” 日期 means “date,” especially a calendar date or a date printed on a product. It is a noun that can be used after 检查: 检查日期 means “check the date.” Example: 请确认日期。— “Please confirm the date.” Together, 牛奶够了 states that there is enough milk. 但 introduces a contrast: despite having enough, 使用前 places the next action before using the milk, and 要检查一下日期 gives the instruction to check the date. The complete meaning is: “We have enough, but check the date before using it.”

9. 现在这些食材看起来很安全，也都准备好了。

   The ingredients look safe and ready now.

   现在

   now

   这些

   these

   食材

   ingredients

   看起来

   look; seem

   很安全

   safe

   也都

   also all

   准备好了

   ready; prepared

   More detail

   现在 means “now” and places the situation in the present time. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence, but it can also occur later when the time frame needs emphasis. Example: 现在可以开始。 — “We can start now.” 这些 means “these” and points to a set of items understood in the situation. 这 means “this,” while 这些 refers to multiple items or a group; the form itself does not identify exactly which items unless the context does. 食材 means “ingredients” or “cooking ingredients.” It is a noun for food materials used in preparing a dish. Example: 食材很新鲜。 — “The ingredients are fresh.” 看起来 means “look” or “seem” in the sense of appearing a certain way. It is the reusable pattern 看起来 + description, where 看 is “look” and 起来 helps form the appearance construction. Example: 这个房间看起来很干净。 — “This room looks very clean.” 很安全 describes the ingredients as safe. 安全 is the adjective “safe”; 很 is a degree adverb placed before an adjective. In this sentence, 很 makes the description sound natural and can mean “quite/very,” rather than necessarily emphasizing an extreme degree. Example: 这里很安全。 — “It is very safe here.” 也都 combines 也 (“also”) with 都 (“all/both,” according to the relevant group). Here, 都 applies to the ingredients as a group, and 也 adds this second condition to the earlier statement about how they look. This construction does not specify the group’s size; it says that every item in the relevant group shares the condition. 准备好了 means “are ready” or “have been prepared.” 准备 is “prepare” or “get ready,” and 好 functions here as a result complement: it shows that the preparation has reached a satisfactory completed state. 了 marks a relevant change or newly established state, so 准备好了 presents the ingredients as now ready. Example: 饭准备好了。 — “The meal is ready.” Together, 现在 sets the time, and 这些食材 identifies the ingredients being discussed. 看起来很安全 says that they appear safe, while 也都准备好了 adds that all of them are ready. The whole utterance means: “The ingredients look safe and ready now.”

10. 这次检查应该能帮助我们避免过敏风险，也让这道菜保持正确的味道。

    This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.

    这次

    this time

    检查

    check; inspection

    应该能

    should be able to

    帮助

    help

    我们

    us; we

    避免

    avoid

    过敏风险

    allergy risk

    也让

    also let; also make

    这

    this

    菜

    dish

    保持

    keep; maintain

    正确的

    correct; right

    味道

    taste; flavor

    More detail

    这次 means “this time” and works as a time phrase at the start of a sentence. Compare 这次检查 (“this check”) with 上次检查 (“the previous check”); 次 counts occasions or instances of an event. 检查 can be a noun, as in “an inspection/check,” or a verb, “to inspect/check.” Here it is a noun modified by 这次: 这次检查 = “this check.” Example: 我们检查食材。 — “We check the ingredients.” 应该能 combines 应该 (“should; be expected to”) with 能 (“can; be able to”). Together here, it expresses an expectation that the check will have the ability or practical effect described, not a command. 应该 can also express what is advisable in other contexts, so the surrounding verb phrase determines the reading. 帮助 means “to help” and can be followed by a person or group plus an action: 帮助我们避免风险 = “help us avoid risks.” Example: 这项措施帮助大家节省时间。 — “This measure helps everyone save time.” 我们 is the first-person plural pronoun “we/us.” Its role here is the group helped by 帮助; Chinese does not change this form for subject versus object in the way some languages do. Example: 他们帮助我们。 — “They help us.” 避免 means “to avoid” or “prevent.” It is followed by the thing or outcome that one keeps from happening: 避免风险 = “avoid risk.” Example: 请避免使用过期材料。 — “Please avoid using expired materials.” 过敏风险 is a noun phrase meaning “allergy risk” or “the risk of an allergic reaction.” 过敏 describes an allergic reaction or allergy, while 风险 means risk; together they form a compact modifier-plus-noun expression. Example: 这种成分可能增加过敏风险。 — “This ingredient may increase allergy risk.” 也让 adds another result and introduces a construction meaning “also let/make.” The pattern is 让 + person or thing + action/state: 让这道菜保持…… means “make/let this dish remain ….” Here 也 connects this result with the preceding 帮助我们避免过敏风险; it does not belong to the meaning of 让 itself. 这 is the demonstrative “this.” It directly modifies 菜 in 这道菜; the sentence and translation support the intended referent as the dish being discussed, without requiring 这 to stand alone. In Chinese, a demonstrative commonly appears before a classifier and noun: 这道菜 = “this dish.” 菜 means “dish” here, referring to prepared food. It can also mean “vegetable” or “food item” in other contexts, but 这道菜 specifically uses the dish sense. 道 is the classifier used with many dishes; it is not included in the selected quote, but it completes the noun phrase in the source. 保持 means “to keep” or “maintain” something in a state. Its useful pattern is 保持 + state: 保持安静 = “remain quiet/keep quiet,” and 保持新鲜 = “keep fresh.” In this sentence, 保持 takes 正确的味道 as the state maintained. 正确的 means “correct” or “right.” The word carrying the adjective meaning is 正确; 的 links it to the noun it describes. Here 正确的味道 presents the intended taste as the right or proper one. Example: 这是正确的答案。 — “This is the correct answer.” 味道 means “taste” or “flavor.” It is the noun whose state is described by 正确的; the phrase 正确的味道 means “the right flavor,” not that 味道 is an adjective. Example: 这道菜的味道很好。 — “This dish tastes very good.” Putting the parts together, 这次检查 identifies the check, and 应该能帮助我们避免过敏风险 says that it is expected to help us avoid allergy risks. The coordinated second part, 也让这道菜保持正确的味道, adds that the same check will also let the dish maintain its proper flavor. The whole utterance is therefore: “This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.”