What does hai jiao mean?

"Hai jiao" (海椒) in Mandarin Chinese literally translates to "sea pepper" and refers to chilies in general. It's a common term used in southwestern China, particularly in Sichuan province.

Here's a breakdown:

* 海 (hǎi) means "sea".

* 椒 (jiāo) means "pepper".

However, it's important to note that "hai jiao" isn't a specific chili variety. It's a broader term encompassing a variety of chili peppers, just like the English term "pepper" refers to different types of peppercorns.

So, when someone says "hai jiao" in Chinese, they're likely talking about chili peppers in general, without specifying a particular type.