味 wèi taste
taste; smell; odor
How to remember 味: 口 mouth + 未 not yet = taste. The chef lifts the spoon to his mouth, mutters "Not yet" and keeps adding salt until the taste is right.
Component breakdown
味 = 口 mouth + 未 not yet
- 口 mouth
- 未 not yet
The chef lifts the spoon to his mouth, mutters "Not yet" and keeps adding salt until the taste is right.
How it is used
- Taste / smell / flavor - 味道 (wèidao) flavor/taste, 口味 (kǒuwèi) one's taste preference, 美味 (měiwèi) delicious.
- 味道 covers both taste and smell: 这道菜味道很好 (zhè dào cài wèidao hěn hǎo) this dish tastes great.
- 意味着 (yìwèizhe) 'to mean/signify'; 气味 (qìwèi) odor/scent.
Words with 味
- 味道wèidaoflavorHSK 4
- 口味kǒuwèia person's preferencesHSK 5
- 意味着yìwèizheto signifyHSK 5
- 美味měiwèideliciousHSK 5
- 味觉wèijuésense of tasteHSK 6
- 气味qìwèiodorHSK 6
- 趣味qùwèifunHSK 6
- 一味yíwèipersistentlyHSK 7
- 味精wèijīngmonosodium glutamate (MSG)HSK 7
- 回味huíwèito call to mind and ponder overHSK 7
- 意味yìwèimeaningHSK 7
- 风味fēngwèidistinctive flavorHSK 7
- 卤味lǔwèifood prepared by stewing in soy sauce and spicesHSK 8
- 原汁原味yuánzhī-yuánwèioriginalHSK 8
- 品味pǐnwèito sampleHSK 8
- 津津有味jīnjīn-yǒuwèiwith keen interest (idiom)HSK 9
- 滋味zīwèitasteHSK 9
- 耐人寻味nàirénxúnwèithought-provokingHSK 9
- 韵味yùnwèiimplicit charm in rhyme or soundHSK 9
Example sentences
- 这道菜的味道很一般。 Zhè dào cài de wèidao hěn yìbān.The taste of this dish is very ordinary.
- 我带你尝一下地方风味。 Wǒ dài nǐ cháng yíxià dìfāng fēngwèi.Let me take you out to try some of the local cuisine.
- 矿泉水的味道很甘甜。 Kuàngquánshuǐ de wèidao hěn gāntián.The mineral water tastes very sweet.