How to Say ‘What is your favorite Chinese food?’ in Simplified Chinese
你最喜欢的中国菜是什么？
nǐ zuì xǐ huān de zhōng guó cài shì shén me
[nee dzway shee-hwan de Zhōngguó tsai shir shuhn-muh]
🇨🇳 In China: Locals ask this often and are delighted if you name a specific dish, especially a local one, rather than just saying everything is good.
Phrase Breakdown
你最喜欢的
nǐ zuì xǐ huān de
your favorite
This literally means "that you like most." 最 is a falling fourth tone, and 的 is light: nǐ zuì xǐhuan de.
你最喜欢的水果
your favorite fruit
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you; your
A common singular pronoun. Before 的, it can mean 'your.'
你的老师是谁？
Who is your teacher?
最
zuì
[dzway]
most
Used before adjectives or verbs to show the highest degree, like most interested or best.
在这些公司里，你最想了解哪一家？
Among these companies, which one do you most want to learn about?
喜欢
xǐ huān
[shee-hwan]
to like
A common verb meaning to like or be fond of something or someone.
我很喜欢阿根廷队。
I really like the Argentina team.
的
de
[de]
of
Expressing the relationship between items.
这是我的书。
This is my book.
中国菜
zhōng guó cài
Chinese dish
中国 (China) + 菜 (dish). Here it is the topic being asked about: Zhōngguó cài.
中国菜很多。
There are many Chinese dishes.
Words in this phrase
中国
zhōng guó
[Zhōngguó]
China
The name of the country China.
中国很大。
China is very big.
菜
cài
[tsai]
dish
Refers to a food item or recipe prepared as part of a meal.
这个菜很美味。
This dish is delicious.
是什么？
shì shén me
is what?
是 (is) + 什么 (what). This is a common way to end a question. Say shì shénme, with 么 light.
这是什么？
What is this?
Words in this phrase
是
shì
[shir]
to be; is; are
A linking verb meaning 'to be.' It connects a subject with identity or description.
她是医生。
She is a doctor.
什么
shén me
[shuhn-muh]
what
Used to ask about something unknown.
晚饭吃什么？
What’s for dinner?
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