Definition

1. Noun:
   • Plain rice gruel, plain rice soup: A simple, thin porridge made by boiling rice in a large amount of water until it becomes a smooth, liquid consistency. It typically contains no meat, vegetables, or other substantial additions, distinguishing it from more complex rice porridges like "cháo thịt" (meat porridge).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bác sĩ khuyên bệnh nhân ăn cháo hoa cho dễ tiêu. (The doctor advised the patient to eat plain rice gruel for easy digestion.)
  • Khi bị ốm, tôi thường chỉ muốn ăn một bát cháo hoa. (When I'm sick, I usually only want a bowl of plain rice soup.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cháo hoa" is often associated with dietary simplicity, convalescence, or a bland diet. It is considered gentle on the stomach.
  • Chế độ ăn sau phẫu thuật bao gồm cháo hoa và nước lọc. (The post-surgery diet includes plain rice gruel and water.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cháo trắng: A synonym for "cháo hoa," also meaning plain rice porridge.
• Cháo: The general term for rice porridge or congee, which can have many varieties (e.g., - meat porridge, - chicken porridge).
• Cháo loãng: Emphasizes the thin, watery consistency of the porridge.

Synonyms

• Plain congee: A more formal or culinary term.
• Rice gruel: A direct translation, often used in medical or dietary contexts.

Related Phrases

• Nấu cháo hoa: To cook plain rice gruel.
  • Bà tôi nấu cháo hoa rất ngon. (My grandmother cooks plain rice gruel very well.)

Related Idioms

• While "cháo hoa" itself is not commonly used in idioms, its simplicity is culturally referenced. A related concept is the idiom "Ăn cháo đá bát" (To eat the porridge and then kick the bowl), meaning to be ungrateful or to betray a benefactor. Note that this idiom uses the general word "cháo," not specifically "cháo hoa."

1. Plain rice gruel, plain rice soup