Chinese–EnglishWith examples

小菜

xiǎo cài · xiao cai

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. appetizer
  2. small side dish
  3. easy job
  4. piece of cake
  5. see also 小菜一碟 (xiǎo cài yī dié)
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In a conversation

0:25 cartoon

Easy as a side dish

  1. Dengdeng

    老板(lǎobǎn)，我们(wǒmen)要(yào)两碗(liǎngwǎn)米饭(mǐfàn)，再(zài)来(lái)几个(jǐge)小菜(xiǎocài)。

    Boss, we want two bowls of rice and a few side dishes.

  2. Liangliang

    这个(zhège)小菜(xiǎocài)好(hǎo)脆(cuì)，是(shì)什么(shénme)做(zuò)的(de)？

    This side dish is so crunchy. What is it made of?

  3. Dengdeng

    是(shì)黄瓜(huángguā)。你(nǐ)会(huì)做(zuò)吗(ma)？

    Cucumber. Can you make it?

  4. Liangliang

    小菜一碟(xiǎocàiyīdié)！我(wǒ)在(zài)家(jiā)天天(tiāntiān)做(zuò)。

    Easy peasy! I make it at home every day.

  5. Dengdeng

    真的(zhēnde)？那(nà)下次(xiàcì)你(nǐ)做(zuò)给(gěi)我(wǒ)吃(chī)吧(ba)。

    Really? Then make it for me next time.

  6. Liangliang

    好(hǎo)！不过(bùguò)先(xiān)说好(shuōhǎo)，我(wǒ)只会(zhǐhuì)做(zuò)这一个(zhèyīgè)小菜(xiǎocài)。

    Sure! But I should say first, I can only make this one side dish.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

这(zhè)盘(pán)小(xiǎo)菜(cài)味(wèi)道(dào)很(hěn)清(qīng)爽(shuǎng)。

This small side dish tastes very refreshing.

02

对(duì)他(tā)来(lái)说(shuō)，这(zhè)活(huó)儿(r)就(jiù)是(shì)小(xiǎo)菜(cài)。

For him, this job is a piece of cake.

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Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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