Common Meanings
1
qiàn芡
An annual aquatic plant with prickly stems and leaves, also known as 'chicken head'. Its seeds are edible and can be ground into starch.
秋天是收获芡实的季节，新鲜的鸡头米口感软糯清甜。
Autumn is the season for harvesting gorgon fruit (qianshi); the fresh 'chicken head rice' has a soft, glutinous, and sweet taste.
To thicken (sauce, soup) with a starch paste during cooking.
这道菜需要勾芡，才能让汤汁更浓稠
This dish needs to be thickened with starch to make the sauce richer.