How to Give Multi-Step Instructions in Mandarin: Cooking a Complex Dish
Learn to sequence a three-part Chinese dish using 先, 再, 然后, 接着, 最后, and time expressions like 分钟后. Master imperative forms and measure words for cooking.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you describe a multi-part recipe in Mandarin, you need more than just food vocabulary. You must sequence actions clearly, give commands politely, and use time expressions correctly. This lesson teaches you the core pattern for step-by-step instructions: 先 + verb, 再 + verb, 然后 + verb, 接着 + verb, 最后 + verb. You will also learn how to say 'after X minutes' with 分钟后, how to use measure words like 勺 (spoon) and 克 (gram), and how to soften commands with 请 or 把. By the end, you can explain a three-part dish such as red-braised pork with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- sequence at least five steps of a recipe using 先, 再, 然后, 接着, and 最后.
- give polite imperative instructions using 请 + verb or 把 + object + verb.
- specify quantities and time using measure words and 分钟后.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
先把五花肉切成块。
First, cut the pork belly into chunks.
Xiān bǎ wǔhuāròu qiē chéng kuài.
Use 把 to put the object before the verb, common in cooking instructions.
再焯水三分钟。
Then blanch in water for three minutes.
Zài chāo shuǐ sān fēnzhōng.
焯水 (chāo shuǐ) means to blanch briefly; 再 marks the second step.
然后加两勺生抽和一勺老抽。
Then add two spoons of light soy sauce and one spoon of dark soy sauce.
Ránhòu jiā liǎng sháo shēngchōu hé yī sháo lǎochōu.
勺 is the measure word for spoonfuls; 生抽 is light soy sauce, 老抽 is dark.
接着倒入热水，没过肉。
Next, pour in hot water until it covers the meat.
Jiēzhe dào rù rèshuǐ, mò guò ròu.
接着 signals the next step; 没过 means to submerge or cover.
最后小火炖四十分钟，然后收汁。
Finally, simmer on low heat for 40 minutes, then reduce the sauce.
Zuìhòu xiǎohuǒ dùn sìshí fēnzhōng, ránhòu shōuzhī.
小火 means low heat; 收汁 means to thicken or reduce the liquid.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core sequencing pattern is: 先 + Verb Phrase, 再 + Verb Phrase, 然后 + Verb Phrase, 接着 + Verb Phrase, 最后 + Verb Phrase. For example: 先热锅，再倒油，然后放葱姜，接着炒香，最后加肉。You can also use 分钟后 to mean 'after X minutes': 十分钟后加盐 (Add salt after 10 minutes). To give polite commands, use 请 + verb: 请把火关小 (Please turn down the heat). The 把 construction is very common: 把 + Object + Verb + Complement, e.g., 把肉炖烂 (Simmer the meat until tender).
When to use it
Use this pattern when explaining any multi-step process, not just cooking. In a cooking class, you might say: 先切菜，再炒肉，然后调味，接着焖煮，最后装盘。When writing a recipe, you can omit the subject because instructions are understood as directed at the reader. In spoken instructions, add 要 or 得 for necessity: 要先焯水 (You need to blanch first). For time, 后 attaches to a duration: 五分钟后再翻面 (Flip after 5 minutes). Avoid using 然后 too many times; vary with 接着 or 之后 to sound natural.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
我想做红烧肉，第一步应该做什么？
I want to make red-braised pork. What should I do first?Wǒ xiǎng zuò hóngshāoròu, dì yī bù yīnggāi zuò shénme?先把五花肉切成块，再焯水三分钟。
First cut the pork belly into chunks, then blanch for three minutes.Xiān bǎ wǔhuāròu qiē chéng kuài, zài chāo shuǐ sān fēnzhōng.然后呢？需要加什么调料？
Then what? What seasonings do I need to add?Ránhòu ne? Xūyào jiā shénme tiáoliào?然后加两勺生抽、一勺老抽和几块冰糖，接着倒热水炖四十分钟。
Then add two spoons of light soy sauce, one spoon of dark soy sauce, and a few pieces of rock sugar. Next, pour in hot water and simmer for 40 minutes.Ránhòu jiā liǎng sháo shēngchōu, yī sháo lǎochōu hé jǐ kuài bīngtáng, jiēzhe dào rèshuǐ dùn sìshí fēnzhōng.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese cooking instructions, the imperative form is direct but not rude when the context is clear. Adding 请 makes it more polite, but in a recipe or casual teaching, bare verbs are normal. The 把 construction is extremely common in northern China and in standard Mandarin, but in some southern dialects, speakers may prefer 将 (jiāng) in formal writing. When giving instructions to a superior or someone older, use 请 and soften with 可以: 您可以先把肉切好 (You can first cut the meat). Avoid using 然后 repeatedly; native speakers vary with 接着, 之后, or 接下来.
One thing to watch for
Using 以后 instead of 后 to mean 'after a duration', e.g., 三分钟以后焯水.
Try this instead: For 'after X minutes' in a sequence, use 分钟后: 三分钟后再焯水. 以后 means 'in the future' or 'afterwards' in a general sense, not a specific elapsed time. Example: 三分钟以后我们再说 (We'll talk later, after three minutes) is possible but less precise for recipes.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'First cut the meat, then blanch it' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
先切肉，再焯水。
先...再... is the basic sequence pattern. You could also say 先把肉切了，再焯水, but the simple form is correct.
2Translate: 'After 20 minutes, add salt.'
Show a sample answer
二十分钟后加盐。
Use 后 after a time duration to mean 'after'. 二十分钟以后 is also acceptable but less common in recipes.
3Make this command polite: 把火关小。
Show a sample answer
请把火关小。
Adding 请 at the beginning makes it polite. In a formal context, you could also say 请您把火关小。
Use 先, 再, 然后, 接着, 最后 to sequence steps, 分钟后 for time, and 把 or 请 to give clear, polite instructions. Practice with any recipe to build fluency.
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