Chinese word

麻辣

Pronunciation

Pinyinmá là

Meaning

  • adjectivespicy and numbing

Example

这道菜真麻辣，有点儿受不了。zhè dào cài zhēn má là yóu diǎnr shòu bù liǎo

This dish is really spicy and numbing, and it is a little hard to take.

Illustration for 麻辣 (spicy and numbing)

More examples

这家小吃的麻辣口味很有特色。zhè jiā xiǎo chī de má là kǒu wèi hěn yǒu tè sè

The spicy and numbing flavor of this snack shop's food is very distinctive.

Core concept

A layered flavor where Sichuan peppercorn tingling and chili heat occur together.

Common phrases

  • 麻辣香锅má là xiāng guō

    spicy dry pot

  • 麻辣口味má là kǒu wèi

    spicy and numbing flavor

  • 略带麻辣lüè dài má là

    slightly spicy and numbing

Similar words

辣là: A hot and strongly spicy taste that spreads through the mouth.
麻má: A taste that causes a prickly, numb feeling on the tongue.
辛辣xīn là: A strongly spicy taste that feels sharp and biting.
香辣xiāng là: A fragrant taste with a clear spicy kick.

Definition in Chinese

形容菜肴或调味料带有强烈且复合的花椒麻感与辣椒辣感，常用于描述四川风味。xíng róng cài yáo huò tiáo wèi liào dài yǒu qiáng liè qiě fù hé de huā jiāo má gǎn yǔ là jiāo là gǎn cháng yòng yú miáo shù sì chuān fēng wèi

Word origin

The compound pairs 麻 (má, "numbing") with 辣 (là, "spicy"), using each character's taste sense to name the combined flavor associated with Sichuan cooking.

Usage tips

  • English spicy often points mainly to heat, so this word helps distinguish chili burn from the separate tingling sensation found in many Sichuan dishes.

Other meanings

  • spicy and numbing flavornoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 麻辣香锅má là xiāng guōspicy dry potnoun
  • 麻辣调料má là tiáo liàospicy and numbing seasoningnoun

Word lists with this word