Chinese word

辣

Pronunciation

Pinyinlà

Meaning

  • adjectivespicy

Example

他不喜欢吃辣的东西。tā bù xǐ huān chī là de dōng xī

He doesn't like eating spicy food.

Illustration for 辣 (spicy)

More examples

这道菜太辣，我吃不下去。zhè dào cài tài là wǒ chī bú xià qù

This dish is too spicy for me to eat.

Core concept

A chili-like sting on the tongue, extending from the sensation itself to foods and seasonings that cause it.

Common phrases

  • 很辣hěn là

    very spicy

  • 太辣了tài là le

    too spicy

  • 爱吃辣ài chī là

    like spicy food

Similar words

麻má: Creating a numb, prickly feeling on the tongue or in the mouth.
咸xián: Tasting salty, like food seasoned with salt.
甜tián: Tasting sweet, with a sugary flavor.
酸suān: Tasting sour, with a sharp acidic flavor.

Definition in Chinese

能使舌头感到刺痛或发热的味道，也指带有这种味道的食物或调料。néng shǐ shé tou gǎn dào cì tòng huò fā rè de wèi dào yě zhǐ dài yǒu zhè zhǒng wèi dào de shí wù huò tiáo liào

Word origin

In 辣 (là, "spicy"), 辛 (xīn, "pungent") is the meaning component and 剌 (là, "sound component") helps indicate the pronunciation, matching the word's sharp flavor.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses a different adjective for food temperature, so this word does not describe whether a dish is physically warm.

Other meanings

  • hotadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word