中 火(なかび)

なかび

noun

medium heat (cooking)

See also: 中火(ちゅうび) (alternate reading), 強火(つよび) (high heat), 弱火(よわび) (low heat)

1. medium heat

A moderate cooking temperature between low heat (弱火(よわび)) and high heat (強火(つよび)). One of the standard heat settings referred to in Japanese cooking instructions.

中火(なかび)で炒(いた)めてください。

Please stir-fry over medium heat.

中火(なかび)にして5分(ふん)煮(に)る。

Set to medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

最初(さいしょ)は強火(つよび)で沸騰(ふっとう)させてから中火(なかび)に落(お)とす。

First bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce to medium heat.

Usage

One of the three standard heat levels used in Japanese cooking:

弱火(よわび) (low heat)
中火(なかび) (medium heat)
強火(つよび) (high heat)

Additionally, とろ火(び) (very low heat/simmer) is sometimes used. These terms appear constantly in recipes and cooking instructions.

Common collocations

中火(なかび)で焼(や)く (to grill on medium heat)
中火(なかび)で煮(に)る (to simmer on medium heat)
中火(なかび)にする (to set to medium heat)
中火(なかび)に落(お)とす (to reduce to medium heat)

general

Added 2026.3.19 18:20 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

17500/17946_nakabi