Asking 'How Do You Cook ___?' in Mandarin Chinese
Learn to ask how to cook a specific dish in Mandarin and understand simple answers about methods and ingredients, using the pattern 怎么 + verb.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you want to learn how to make a dish, you need to ask someone who knows. In Mandarin, the key question is 怎么 (zěnme) 'how' plus the verb 做 (zuò) 'to make/cook'. This lesson teaches you to ask 'How do you cook ___?' and to understand simple replies that describe cooking methods and main ingredients. You will practice with common dishes and learn to recognize answers that use verbs like 炒 (chǎo) 'stir-fry', 煮 (zhǔ) 'boil', and 烤 (kǎo) 'roast'. By the end, you can seek guidance from a Chinese speaker and grasp the basic steps they share.
By the end, you can…
- ask how to cook a specific dish using 怎么做.
- understand simple answers that name a cooking method and main ingredients.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个菜怎么做？
How do you cook this dish?
Zhège cài zěnme zuò?
Use this when pointing at a dish or recipe you want to learn. 这个 (zhège) means 'this', 菜 (cài) means 'dish', 怎么做 (zěnme zuò) means 'how to make'. Note that 这个 is often pronounced zhèige in fast, colloquial speech.
红烧肉怎么做？
How do you cook braised pork belly?
Hóngshāoròu zěnme zuò?
Replace 红烧肉 with any dish name to ask about it. 红烧 (hóngshāo) is a cooking style meaning 'braised in soy sauce'.
先炒，再煮。
First stir-fry, then boil.
Xiān chǎo, zài zhǔ.
A simple answer describing two steps. 先 (xiān) means 'first', 再 (zài) means 'then', 炒 (chǎo) is 'stir-fry', 煮 (zhǔ) is 'boil'.
要放什么？
What should I put in?
Yào fàng shénme?
Ask this to find out about ingredients. 要 (yào) means 'need to/should', 放 (fàng) means 'put in', 什么 (shénme) means 'what'.
很简单，我教你。
It's very simple, I'll teach you.
Hěn jiǎndān, wǒ jiāo nǐ.
A friendly response when someone offers to show you. 简单 (jiǎndān) means 'simple', 教 (jiāo) means 'teach'. Note that 教 is pronounced jiāo here, not jiào.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask how to do something, use the pattern: [Topic] + 怎么 + Verb? The topic can be a dish name or 这个菜 (this dish). The verb is often 做 (zuò) 'make/cook'. For example: 饺子怎么做？(Jiǎozi zěnme zuò?) 'How do you make dumplings?' 这个汤怎么做？(Zhège tāng zěnme zuò?) 'How do you make this soup?' You can also ask about specific steps: 怎么切？(Zěnme qiē?) 'How do you cut it?' 怎么炒？(Zěnme chǎo?) 'How do you stir-fry it?' The answer often uses 先...再... (xiān... zài...) 'first... then...' to list steps. Note that 再 (zài) here means 'then', not 'again'.
When to use it
Use 怎么做 when you genuinely want instructions, not when you are offering to cook. It is neutral and polite in most situations, suitable for asking a friend, a family member, or a cooking teacher. If you are in a restaurant and want to know how a dish is made, you can ask the server: 这个菜怎么做？(Zhège cài zěnme zuò?) However, in very formal settings or with a professional chef, you might say 请问，这个菜怎么做？(Qǐngwèn, zhège cài zěnme zuò?) 'May I ask, how is this dish made?' to add politeness. Avoid using it with strangers if you just want the recipe without context; it's fine for learning.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个菜怎么做？
How do you cook this dish?Zhège cài zěnme zuò?先炒肉，再放菜。
First stir-fry the meat, then add the vegetables.Xiān chǎo ròu, zài fàng cài.要放什么调料？
What seasonings should I put in?Yào fàng shénme tiáoliào?放盐和酱油。
Put in salt and soy sauce.Fàng yán hé jiàngyóu.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese cooking, instructions are often given as a sequence of actions rather than precise measurements. When you ask 怎么做, expect answers like 先...再... (first... then...) and 放... (put in...). It is common for the responder to offer to show you in person, saying 我教你 (I'll teach you). Accepting this offer is a friendly way to learn. Also, many dishes are named with the cooking method first, e.g., 红烧肉 (braised pork), 炒饭 (fried rice), so recognizing the method verb helps you understand the dish.
One thing to watch for
Using 怎么煮 for any dish, even when the cooking method is stir-frying or steaming.
Try this instead: Use the specific cooking verb: 炒 (chǎo) for stir-fry, 煮 (zhǔ) for boil, 蒸 (zhēng) for steam, 烤 (kǎo) for roast. For example, ask 这个菜怎么炒？(How do you stir-fry this dish?) if you know it's stir-fried. If unsure, 怎么做 is safe and general.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'How do you make dumplings?' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
饺子怎么做？
饺子 (jiǎozi) means dumplings, 怎么做 (zěnme zuò) means how to make. This follows the pattern [Topic] + 怎么 + 做. You could also say 饺子怎么包？(How do you wrap dumplings?) if focusing on wrapping.
2What does 先切，再炒 mean?
Show a sample answer
First cut, then stir-fry.
先 (xiān) means first, 切 (qiē) means cut, 再 (zài) means then, 炒 (chǎo) means stir-fry. This is a common sequence in recipes. Other sequences like 先洗，再切 (first wash, then cut) are also possible.
3If someone says 要放盐和酱油, what should you add?
Show a sample answer
Salt and soy sauce.
要放 (yào fàng) means need to put in, 盐 (yán) is salt, 和 (hé) means and, 酱油 (jiàngyóu) is soy sauce. So you add salt and soy sauce. Other seasonings like 醋 (cù) vinegar or 糖 (táng) sugar could also be mentioned.
To ask how to cook a dish, say [Dish] + 怎么做？ Listen for 先...再... and 放... to understand the steps and ingredients. Use specific cooking verbs when you know them.
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