辛辣 (xīnlà) — spicy, pungent
HSK 4 | adjective | having a sharp, burning flavor from spices or chili
辛辣 (xīnlà)
辛辣 describes a sharp, pungent, or spicy taste typically caused by chili peppers, ginger, or other strong spices. It can also describe sharp, biting language or criticism.
Meanings
- adjective spicy, pungent (having a hot or sharp flavor; also used figuratively for sharp criticism)
Example Sentences
四川菜以辛辣著名。 Sìchuān cài yǐ xīnlà zhùmíng. Sichuan cuisine is famous for being spicy.
她不能吃太辛辣的食物。 Tā bù néng chī tài xīnlà de shíwù. She cannot eat food that is too spicy.
这位评论家的文章措辞十分辛辣。 Zhè wèi pínglùn jiā de wénzhāng cuòcí shífēn xīnlà. This critic's article uses very sharp language.
辛辣的调料能提升菜肴的风味。 Xīnlà de tiáoliào néng tíshēng càiyáo de fēngwèi. Pungent spices can enhance the flavor of a dish.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 辛辣食物 (xīnlà shíwù) | spicy food |
| 口味辛辣 (kǒuwèi xīnlà) | spicy taste |
| 辛辣调料 (xīnlà tiáoliào) | pungent seasoning |
| 辛辣的批评 (xīnlà de pīpíng) | biting criticism |
Usage Notes
辛辣 is slightly more formal or literary than the everyday word 辣 (là). In spoken Chinese, people often just say 辣, but 辛辣 appears in written menus, food labels, and literary descriptions. Its figurative use for sharp language is common in written texts.
Memory Hook
辛 (xīn) suggests bitterness or hardship, and 辣 (là) is the standard word for spicy or chili-hot. Together, 辛辣 doubles the intensity of a burning, stinging sensation.