Chinese word

火辣辣

Pronunciation

Pinyinhuǒ là là

Meaning

  • adjectivespicy

Example

这菜放了太多辣椒，一吃就火辣辣。zhè cài fàng le tài duō là jiāo yì chī jiù huǒ là là

This dish has too many chili peppers, so it is spicy from the first bite.

Illustration for 火辣辣 (spicy)

More examples

吃完饭后，嘴里还火辣辣。chī wán fàn hòu zuí lǐ hái huǒ là là

Even after finishing the meal, my mouth is still burning.

Core concept

A burning, prickling heat caused by strong spice or intense warmth.

Common phrases

  • 一吃就火辣辣yì chī jiù huǒ là là

    burning from the first bite

  • 嘴里火辣辣zuí lǐ huǒ là là

    a burning mouth

  • 辣得火辣辣là de huǒ là là

    burning hot from the spice

Similar words

辣là: A basic spicy taste that leaves a prickling feeling on the tongue.
辛辣xīn là: A sharp, biting quality in a flavor or expression.
麻辣má là: A spicy taste combined with a numbing, tingling feeling on the tongue.
烫tàng: A high temperature that feels hot enough to burn when touched.

Definition in Chinese

表示强烈的辣味或灼痛感，常用于口语，形容吃辣后或被烫后嘴、皮肤等处的刺痛感觉。biǎo shì qiáng liè de là wèi huò zhuó tòng gǎn cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ xíng róng chī là hòu huò bèi tàng hòu zuǐ pí fū děng chù de cì tòng gǎn jué

Word origin

火 (huǒ, "fire") supplies the image of heat, while 辣 (là, "spicy") supplies the sharp sting; repeating 辣 heightens the immediate, colloquial force.

Usage tips

  • The English word hot can refer to temperature, flavor, or attractiveness, so this Chinese expression is a useful way to recognize the physical burning sense in an everyday sentence.

Other meanings

  • burningadjective
  • scorchingadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word