Seven necessities facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seven necessities |
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| Traditional Chinese | 開門七件事：柴米油鹽醬醋茶 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 开门七件事：柴米油盐酱醋茶 | ||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | open door 7 items-of-affairs: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea | ||||||||||||
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The seven necessities are an old Chinese saying. They describe the most important things people needed every day. The full phrase is: "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day." This saying shows how these items were essential for daily life, especially for cooking and living comfortably.
What Are the Seven Necessities?
The Chinese phrase for "seven necessities" literally means "open door seven items." It's an ancient saying that highlights the basic things every household needed. These items have been important for a very long time. People knew about them as early as the Song Dynasty (which was from 960 to 1279 CE). They were even mentioned in an old travel book called Dreams of the Former Capital.
The seven necessities include:
- Firewood (柴 chái): Used for cooking and heating homes.
- Rice (米 mĭ): A main food source in China.
- Oil (油 yóu): Important for cooking and adding flavor.
- Salt (鹽 yán): Essential for preserving food and seasoning.
- Sauce (醬 jiàng): Like soy sauce, used for flavor.
- Vinegar (醋 cù): Used in cooking and for its sour taste.
- Tea (茶 chá): A popular drink, often served with meals.
Why Were These Items So Important?
Imagine a time without modern kitchens or supermarkets. People had to gather or buy everything they needed. Firewood was crucial for making a fire to cook food and stay warm. Rice was a staple food that kept families fed. Oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar were vital for making food tasty and safe to eat. They helped preserve food before refrigerators existed. Tea was not just a drink; it was part of daily life and hospitality.
Tea's Special Place
Tea has a very special role in Chinese culture. It's not just one of the seven necessities; it also became very popular in modern tea culture. The fact that tea is listed alongside things like rice and salt shows how important it was to people's daily lives and traditions. It was a drink enjoyed by everyone, from farmers to emperors.
