料理 (liàolǐ), meaning “cuisine” or “cooking,” is a word that speaks to the art of preparing food. To understand its full meaning, let’s break down its individual components:

• 料 (liào):
  • Original form: In oracle bone script, 料 depicted a cow (牛) being measured or assessed (斗). This symbolized measuring or estimating the value of something, often related to livestock or goods.
  • Meaning: It conveys the idea of “material,” “ingredient,” or “to measure.” In the context of “料理,” it refers to the ingredients used in cooking.

• 理 (lǐ):
  • Original form: In oracle bone script, 理 depicted the pattern or veins in jade, symbolizing order, structure, and the inherent patterns in things.
  • Meaning: It conveys the idea of “to manage,” “to arrange,” “to put in order,” or “principle.” In “料理,” it refers to the process of preparing and arranging the ingredients, highlighting the skillful and methodical aspect of cooking.

Combining the Components:

When combined, 料理 literally means “to manage ingredients” or “to arrange materials.” This accurately describes the act of cooking, where ingredients are carefully selected, processed, and combined to create a delicious and satisfying meal.

Evolution of Meaning:

The term 料理 has evolved to encompass a broader meaning beyond just the act of cooking. It can also refer to:

• Cuisine: A style of cooking, often associated with a specific culture or region (e.g., 日本料理 – Japanese cuisine).
• Dish: A particular prepared food item (e.g., 这道料理很好吃 – This dish is delicious).
• Prepared food: Food that has been cooked and is ready to eat (e.g., 我买了些料理 – I bought some prepared food).

Usage in Modern Chinese:

料理 is widely used in various contexts related to food and cooking:

• Discussing food: 我喜欢吃中国料理 (wǒ xǐhuan chī zhōngguó liàolǐ) – I like to eat Chinese cuisine.
• Describing cooking skills: 她的料理做得很好 (tā de liàolǐ zuò de hěn hǎo) – She cooks very well.
• Ordering food: 我要一份料理 (wǒ yào yī fèn liàolǐ) – I want a dish.

By understanding the original structure and meaning of its components, we can appreciate how 料理 effectively conveys the art and skill involved in transforming ingredients into delicious and satisfying meals.