土豆
tǔ dòu HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

妈妈买了五斤土豆。
Māma mǎi le wǔ jīn tǔdòu.
Mom bought five jin of potatoes.
土豆可以做很多菜。
Tǔdòu kěyǐ zuò hěnduō cài.
Potatoes can be used to make many dishes.
他喜欢吃土豆泥。
Tā xǐhuān chī tǔdòu ní.
He likes to eat mashed potatoes.
土豆很好吃。
Tǔdòu hěn hǎochī.
Potatoes are delicious.
我买了土豆。
Wǒ mǎi le tǔdòu.
I bought potatoes.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 土 (tǔ) meaning 'soil' and 豆 (dòu) meaning 'bean'—potatoes grow in soil and are tuberous like beans, helping link the word to its meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and used in both formal and informal contexts, as well as in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly used in everyday conversation, recipes, and agricultural discussions.

📖 Grammar Points

土豆 can function as a subject, object, or modifier in sentences, often appearing in structures like '把土豆 + verb' (e.g., 把土豆放进烤箱) or as part of compound nouns (e.g., 土豆泥).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In China, potatoes are a popular ingredient in dishes like 土豆丝 (shredded potatoes) and 土豆炖牛肉 (beef stew with potatoes), reflecting their role in both home cooking and regional cuisines. They are also associated with comfort food and agricultural production.

🔄 Similar Words

马铃薯 (mǎlíngshǔ) is a synonym for potato, often used interchangeably, though 土豆 is more common in daily speech. 番薯 (fānshǔ) refers to sweet potato, a different tuber, so they are not the same.

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