蒜泥（suàn ní）

Pronunciation: suàn ní

Basic Meaning: minced garlic

Detailed Explanation: 蒜泥 refers to garlic that has been finely chopped or mashed into a paste-like consistency. It is commonly used as a condiment or seasoning in Chinese cuisine to enhance the flavor of dishes.

Usage Scenarios: 蒜泥 is often used in various Chinese dishes, such as cold dishes, stir-fried vegetables, and meat dishes. It can also be used as a dipping sauce or added to soups and marinades to add a strong garlic flavor.

Story Origin: The term 蒜泥 originated from the culinary world, where the minced garlic is commonly referred to as 蒜泥 due to its paste-like texture.

Structure of the Idiom: 蒜泥 is a compound word made up of two characters: 蒜 (suàn) meaning "garlic" and 泥 (ní) meaning "mud" or "paste."

Example Sentences:

1. 這道菜加了蒜泥會更加香味十足。

(Zhè dào cài jiā le suàn ní huì gèng jiā xiāng wèi shí zú.)

This dish will be more flavorful with the addition of minced garlic.

2. 他喜歡在涼菜上撒上一些蒜泥。

(Tā xǐ huān zài liáng cài shàng sā shàng yī xiē suàn ní.)

He likes to sprinkle some minced garlic on cold dishes.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of 蒜泥, you can associate it with the image of finely chopped garlic resembling a paste or mud-like consistency. Additionally, you can create mnemonic stories or visuals that involve garlic and its paste-like texture.

Extended Learning: To further enhance your understanding of 蒜泥, you can explore other Chinese condiments and seasonings commonly used in Chinese cuisine, such as 豆瓣醬 (dòu bàn jiàng) - fermented bean paste, and 香菜 (xiāng cài) - cilantro.

Example Sentences from different age groups:

1. Children: 我喜歡吃面條，但是我不喜歡蒜泥。

(Wǒ xǐ huān chī miàn tiáo, dàn shì wǒ bù xǐ huān suàn ní.)

I like noodles, but I don't like minced garlic.

2. Teenagers: 這個涼拌黃瓜加了蒜泥，味道更好。

(Zhè gè liáng bàn huáng guā jiā le suàn ní, wèi dào gèng hǎo.)

This cold cucumber salad tastes better with minced garlic.

3. Adults: 炒菜的時候，加一些蒜泥可以提升味道。

(Chǎo cài de shí hòu, jiā yī xiē suàn ní kě yǐ tí shēng wèi dào.)

Adding some minced garlic can enhance the flavor when stir-frying vegetables.

4. Elderly: 我喜歡在湯里放一些蒜泥，可以增加風味。

(Wǒ xǐ huān zài tāng lǐ fàng yī xiē suàn ní, kě yǐ zēng jiā fēng wèi.)

I like to add some minced garlic to the soup to enhance the flavor.