The word for scallion is cong (pronounced tsoong). Scallions are the same as green or spring onions. Onions are literally White Man’s Scallions (yáng cong). Shallots are Small White Man’s Scallions (xÇao yáng cong). Chives, however, are jÇu caì, though in French the chive (ciboulette) is a diminutive of the spring onion (ciboule). The Chinese call their leeks (poireaux) Chinese Chives—not to be mistaken for the Flowering Chive, whose blossoms (jÇu caì hua), lightly stir-fried, are a popular side.
As the Bard would have it, “Eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath.”
Ahem, the Chinese word “yáng” used in this case is actually that for “ocean”.