学做中国菜 – Learning to Cook Chinese Food

Grammar

连…都/也 (lián…dōu/yě) – “Even” Pattern
This pattern emphasizes an extreme or unexpected situation. 连 comes before the surprising element, and 都 or 也 comes before the verb. It highlights that if this basic thing is true, other things are certainly true.
Examples: 我连切菜都不会, 他连自己的名字都忘了

越来越 (yuè lái yuè) – “More and more” Pattern
This pattern indicates a progressive change or trend. The structure is: 越来越 + adjective/verb. It shows that a quality is continuously increasing or intensifying over time.
Examples: 我的菜越来越好吃, 天气越来越冷

只要…就… (zhǐyào…jiù…) – “As long as…then…” Pattern
This conditional pattern expresses that if a certain condition is met, a result will follow. 只要 introduces the condition, and 就 introduces the guaranteed result.
Examples: 只要坚持，就一定能成功, 只要努力，就能学好

Idiomatic Expressions

对…感兴趣
This phrase means “to be interested in” something. The pattern is: 对 + topic + 感兴趣. It’s the standard way to express interest in Chinese.
Example: 我对做中国菜感兴趣

从来不
This phrase means “never” when referring to past habits or experiences. 从来 means “ever” and 不 negates it. It emphasizes that something has never happened throughout a period of time.
Example: 以前我从来不做饭

一开始
This time expression means “at the beginning” or “at first” and introduces the initial stage of a process or experience. It often contrasts with later developments, showing change or progress over time.
Example: 一开始，我连切菜都不会

按步骤
This phrase means “following steps” or “according to the procedure.” 按 means “according to” and 步骤 means “step/procedure.” It’s commonly used when following instructions or recipes.
Example: 我按步骤做

好几个
This quantifier phrase means “quite a few” or “several” and indicates a number that’s more than expected. 好 intensifies 几 (several), suggesting a surprisingly large number.
Example: 我已经会做好几个菜了

比较难
This phrase means “relatively difficult” or “fairly hard.” 比较 softens the degree of 难 (difficult), making it less absolute than saying something is simply “difficult.”
Example: 虽然比较难

Cultural Insights

Chinese Home Cooking Culture

In Chinese culture, the ability to cook is traditionally valued, especially for family meals. While 外卖 (food delivery) has become extremely popular in modern China through apps like Meituan and Ele.me, there’s growing awareness about health (健康) and a resurgence of interest in home cooking, especially among young people.

西红柿炒鸡蛋 (tomato scrambled eggs) is often considered the quintessential beginner dish in Chinese cooking. It’s simple, uses common ingredients, and is beloved across China. It represents comfort food and home cooking, often associated with childhood memories and mother’s cooking.

Online Learning and Cooking Videos

Chinese cooking culture has embraced online video platforms. Websites like Bilibili, Douyin (Chinese TikTok), and Xiaohongshu feature countless cooking tutorials. The phrase 上网搜索视频 reflects how younger generations learn traditional cooking methods through modern technology rather than solely from family members.

Popular dishes mentioned like 酱油鸡 (soy sauce chicken) and 干煸四季豆 (dry-fried green beans) represent classic Chinese home cooking. These dishes require basic stir-frying techniques and understanding of seasoning balance—fundamental skills in Chinese cooking.

The Philosophy of Learning and Persistence

The story reflects Chinese cultural values around learning: 耐心 (patience), 坚持 (persistence), and gradual improvement (进步). The phrase 只要坚持，就一定能成功 embodies the traditional Chinese belief that consistent effort leads to mastery.

Making 饺子 (dumplings) is considered a milestone in Chinese cooking. Dumplings require skill in making dough, preparing filling, and folding—techniques that take practice. Successfully making dumplings represents achieving competence in Chinese cooking and connects to cultural traditions of family dumpling-making sessions during festivals.