xì dầu

Mẹ rưới xì dầu lên đĩa đậu phụ.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Soy sauce: A dark, salty liquid condiment made from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. It is a fundamental seasoning and dipping sauce in Vietnamese and other East Asian cuisines.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Món này cần thêm một chút xì dầu. (This dish needs a little more soy sauce.)
  • Xì dầu và tương ớt là hai gia vị phổ biến trên bàn ăn. (Soy sauce and chili sauce are two common condiments on the dining table.)
  • Cô ấy chấm nem rán vào xì dầu. (She dips the spring roll into soy sauce.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "xì dầu" is the common, everyday Vietnamese word for soy sauce. The more formal or technical term is "nước tương," which is often used interchangeably, though some regional or brand preferences may exist.

Variants and Related Words

• Nước tương (n): soy sauce. This is the standard, formal term.
  • Nước tương hiệu này rất ngon. (This brand of soy sauce is very tasty.)

Synonyms

• Soy sauce: The direct English equivalent.
• Fermented soybean sauce: A descriptive synonym.

Notes on Usage

• "Xì dầu" is a colloquial term derived from the Cantonese word for soy sauce. It is widely understood and used throughout Vietnam.
• It functions primarily as a noun. It is not typically used as a verb or in idiomatic expressions outside of direct references to the condiment itself.