khương thang
Definition
- Noun:
- Ginger tea / Ginger infusion: A hot beverage made by steeping fresh ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale) in boiling water, often with added sweeteners like sugar or honey. It is traditionally consumed for its warming properties and potential health benefits, such as relieving cold symptoms or aiding digestion.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Mẹ tôi thường pha khương thang khi ai đó trong nhà bị cảm. (My mother often makes ginger tea when someone in the house has a cold.)
- Một ly khương thang nóng giúp làm ấm bụng. (A cup of hot ginger infusion helps to warm the stomach.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is a Sino-Vietnamese compound ( = ginger, = decoction/soup), reflecting its origin in traditional herbal practices. It specifically denotes the prepared drink, not the raw ingredient.
Variants and Related Words
- Nước gừng (n): A more common, everyday Vietnamese term for ginger tea or ginger water.
- Uống nước gừng với mật ong rất tốt cho cổ họng. (Drinking ginger water with honey is very good for the throat.)
- Trà gừng (n): Another common term, literally "ginger tea," often used interchangeably.
Synonyms
- Ginger tea
- Ginger brew
- Ginger decoction
Related Cultural Concepts
- Khương thang is considered a simple, home-based remedy in Vietnamese culture. It is a typical example of using food as medicine ("thực phẩm trị liệu").