Read Menu

[the_p0et]

I'm wanting to learn how to read a basic menu here in Taiwan. I would like to know how to read the characters for beef, pork, chicken, etc... The basic food words.

Most of what I've found so far are programs with random characters that don't let you decide what category to learn.

Something free, please!

[in_lab]

I don't know of any online resources, but if you post a scan or picture of a menu, I'm sure I or someone else could tell you whatever you wanted to know. There are probably some good resources somewhere, so maybe that's a last resort.

[liuzhou]

Here is a site aimed at Chinese chefs learning English, but it can be used backwards. Just click away!

[Claw]

This book apparently is pretty good for people just interested in deciphering Chinese menus. Actually, just looking at the sample pages that Amazon has in the link above (click on "Look inside this book") will give you a pretty good foundation at deciphering several dish names.

[the_p0et]

Wow! Thanks guys for the great replies! I love that chinese chef page. Gives a good comparison list.

[the_p0et]

Is there a website that will convert characters to pinyin? I'm trying to make my own flashcards with the characters for various food items, but I don't know the pinyin for them.

Thanks!

[maybedaisy]

beef 牛niu2 肉rou4

pork 猪zhu1 肉rou4

chicken 鸡ji1 肉rou4

if you need any more translation,just let me know,I'm so glad to offer help within my ability.

[bmw_f1_power]

the_p0et,

you need to check out this site, it's owned by someone who posts often on this forum. It's a free dictionary where you can look up words by either English, pinyin, or Chinese characters. If you look up the characters it will show you the meaning and the pinyin. I find this so helpful for reading through online newspaper articles without getting stuck on hard words, and it is much easier than using a radical index.

http://chinese.primezero.com/soleri/zw.php

[liuzhou]

The problem with menus and names of dishes is that the name often doesn't indicate the ingredients. I find this to be more true the more expensive the restaurant!

Also, identical dishes (or near identical) can have different names in different parts of the the country.

Among my burdonsome duties is occasionally teaching a course in translation theory in the local university and I always tell students that translating menus is the most difficult.

When I am asked to do it, I always agree! On condition that I can sample each dish!

Sometimes you translate, sometimes you have to explain.