Usage note
“治”在这里指制作或处理食物，比如“治菜”或“治饭”。
“Zhì” zài zhèlǐ zhǐ zhìzuò huò chǔlǐ shíwù, bǐrú “zhì cài” huò “zhì fàn”.
“治” here refers to making or preparing food, such as “prepare vegetables” or “cook rice.”
Context note
在厨房里，妈妈常常“治菜”，就是把菜洗干净并切好。
Zài chúfáng lǐ, māma chángcháng “zhì cài”, jiùshì bǎ cài xǐ gānjìng bìng qiē hǎo.
In the kitchen, mom often “prepares vegetables,” which means washing and cutting them.
5 examples
妈妈在治菜，准备做晚饭。
mā ma zài zhì cài， zhǔn bèi zuò wǎn fàn。
Mom is preparing vegetables to make dinner.
爸爸治了一锅汤，很好喝。
bà ba zhì le yì guō tāng， hěn hǎo hē。
Dad made a pot of soup, and it tastes good.
我们一起治水果沙拉。
wǒ men yì qǐ zhì shuǐ guǒ shā lā。
We make fruit salad together.
奶奶治的饺子馅很香。
nǎi nai zhì de jiǎo zǐ xiàn hěn xiāng。
The dumpling filling grandma prepared is very fragrant.
他学会了治简单的面条。
tā xué huì le zhì jiǎn dān de miàn tiáo。
He learned to make simple noodles.
5 mini stories
小红帮妈妈治菜，她洗了胡萝卜。妈妈夸她是个好帮手。
xiǎo hóng bāng mā ma zhì cài， tā xǐ le hú luó bo。 mā ma kuā tā shì gè hǎo bāng shǒu。
Xiao Hong helps mom prepare vegetables, and she washed the carrots. Mom says she is a good helper.
爷爷治了一盘水果，有苹果和香蕉。我们吃得很开心。
yé ye zhì le yì pán shuǐ guǒ， yǒu píng guǒ hé xiāng jiāo。 wǒ men chī dé hěn kāi xīn。
Grandpa prepared a plate of fruit, with apples and bananas. We ate happily.
小明想治一个蛋糕，他打了鸡蛋。虽然有点乱，但很有趣。
xiǎo míng xiǎng zhì yí gè dàn gāo， tā dǎ le jī dàn。 suī rán yǒu diǎn luàn， dàn hěn yǒu qù。
Xiao Ming wants to make a cake, and he cracked eggs. It's a bit messy but fun.
妈妈治了青菜，还加了豆腐。晚饭很健康。
mā ma zhì le qīng cài， hái jiā le dòu fu。 wǎn fàn hěn jiàn kāng。
Mom prepared greens and added tofu. Dinner is very healthy.
我们治了面条，放了番茄和鸡蛋。味道好极了。
wǒ men zhì le miàn tiáo， fàng le fān qié hé jī dàn。 wèi dào hǎo jí le。
We made noodles with tomatoes and eggs. It tastes great.
Mini dialogue
治病
A
你感冒了，要吃药治病。
Nǐ gǎnmào le, yào chī yào zhì bìng.
You have a cold, you need to take medicine to treat the illness.
B
好的，我会按时吃药。
Hǎo de, wǒ huì ànshí chī yào.
Okay, I will take the medicine on time.
治牙
A
我的牙疼，需要治牙。
Wǒ de yá téng, xūyào zhì yá.
My tooth hurts, I need to treat my tooth.
B
我们去看牙医吧。
Wǒmen qù kàn yáyī ba.
Let's go see a dentist.
Related words and contrasts
related
治疗
zhì liáo
medical treatment
治 is often used in medical contexts.
related
治病
zhì bìng
treat illness
Common phrase: cure a disease.