清淡 qīngdàn light
light (of food, not greasy or strongly flavored); insipid; slack (sales)
How to remember 清淡: 清 clear + 淡 watery = light.
Characters
How it is used
- Light/bland (of food, not oily or heavily flavored) - 口味清淡 (kǒuwèi qīngdàn) light in taste, 清淡饮食 (qīngdàn yǐnshí) a light/plain diet.
- Praises food that is mild and not greasy; also 'slack/slow' for business (生意清淡 slow sales).
- Contrast 油腻 (yóunì, greasy) and 重口味 (heavy-flavored); 清淡 is the healthy, mild option.
Example sentences
- 我早餐通常吃得很清淡。 Wǒ zǎocān tōngcháng chī de hěn qīngdàn.I usually have a light breakfast.