tofu

/ˈtoʊ.fuː/ Chinese Origin Food & Drink

Original Word

豆腐

Mandarin (dòu fu) via Japanese (tōfu)

Entered English

Late 19th century

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "tofu"

From Mandarin 'dòu fu' (豆腐), literally 'bean curd'. The word entered English via Japanese 'tōfu' in the late 19th century as Japanese cuisine gained popularity in the West.

Example Usage

"Tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein."

All Chinese Loanwords Look Up in Dictionary

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