Tastes in Chinese: Easy Vocabulary and Examples

Curious about how to talk about flavors in Mandarin? This guide breaks down how to say “taste” in Chinese, covers essential flavor-related vocabulary, shows real-life sentence patterns, and helps you explore texture and mouthfeel in daily conversations.

I. What Tastes in Chinese?

In English, the word "taste" can refer to flavors, preferences, or even texture—but in Chinese, there isn’t a single word that carries all these meanings. Instead, Mandarin uses different terms depending on the context. Understanding these distinctions is essential for expressing yourself clearly in both daily conversation and formal situations.

Here are the key words you need to know:

• 味道 (wèidào) — This is the most general term, meaning flavor, smell, or even impression. It can be used to describe how something tastes or smells.
  For example: 这道菜的味道很好。 (Zhè dào cài de wèidào hěn hǎo.) – This dish tastes great.
• 口味 (kǒuwèi) — This refers to personal taste or preference in food. It's often used when talking about what kind of flavors someone likes or dislikes.
  For example: 你喜欢什么口味？ (Nǐ xǐhuān shénme kǒuwèi?) – What flavors do you like?
• 口感 (kǒugǎn) — This term relates to mouthfeel or texture—the physical sensation of food in the mouth.
  For example: 这个蛋糕的口感很细腻。 (Zhège dàngāo de kǒugǎn hěn xìnì.) – This cake has a delicate texture.

Each of these words serves a different function, so using them correctly will make your speech sound more natural and accurate. In the sections below, we’ll explore common taste adjectives, sentence patterns, and practical examples to help you talk about flavor in Chinese with confidence.

1. Basic Taste Words in Chinese (The Six Core Flavors)

In Chinese, there are six core flavors commonly used to describe the taste of food. These are essential words for any beginner learning to talk about food in Mandarin. Below is a list of the most important taste adjectives with their Pinyin, English meaning, and a sample sentence:

These six flavors are referred to as part of the traditional Chinese concept known as “五味” (wǔwèi), which literally means "five tastes" and originally referred to sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty.

Modern use, especially in culinary contexts, sometimes recognizes a sixth taste: 鲜 (xiān), meaning fresh or umami—commonly found in ingredients like mushrooms, soy sauce, and meat broths.

By learning these basic adjectives, you can begin to describe the taste of almost any food in Mandarin and express your own preferences more accurately.

2. How to Describe Taste in Chinese Sentences

Once you've learned the basic taste words in Chinese, the next step is to use them naturally in sentences. Most descriptions of taste follow straightforward sentence patterns that are perfect for beginners.

Common Sentence Structure

The most common way to describe flavor is by using the structure: 

[Subject] + 很 + [adjective]

This mirrors the way English uses "very + adjective," but in Chinese, 很 (hěn) is often inserted even when you don’t want to emphasize "very" — it makes the sentence grammatically smooth.

Examples:

• 这道菜很辣。
  Zhè dào cài hěn là.
  This dish is spicy.
• 面条很咸。
  Miàntiáo hěn xián.
  The noodles are salty.
• 果汁很甜。
  Guǒzhī hěn tián.
  The juice is sweet.

Expressing Taste Preferences

To talk about your likes and dislikes in terms of taste, you can use:

• 我喜欢 [flavor] 的食物。
  Wǒ xǐhuān [flavor] de shíwù.
  I like [flavor] foods.
  Example: 我喜欢辣的食物。– I like spicy food.
• 我不太喜欢 [flavor] 的东西。
  Wǒ bù tài xǐhuān [flavor] de dōngxi.
  I don't really like [flavor] things.
  Example: 我不太喜欢苦的东西。– I don’t really like bitter things.

Asking Others About Taste

You can also ask about flavors using these simple questions:

• 你觉得这道菜怎么样？
  Nǐ juéde zhè dào cài zěnmeyàng?
  What do you think of this dish?
• 它是什么味道的？
  Tā shì shénme wèidào de?
  What does it taste like?

These sentence structures are not only useful in daily conversations but also help you express opinions and interact more naturally when talking about food, dining, or culture in Chinese.

3. Talking About Texture and Mouthfeel (口感 kǒugǎn)

In Chinese, when talking about how food feels in the mouth—whether it’s crispy, tender, chewy, or smooth—the correct word is 口感 (kǒugǎn). Unlike 味道 (wèidào), which refers to flavor, 口感 focuses on the physical sensation of eating.

Understanding texture is especially important in Chinese cuisine, where mouthfeel is considered just as important as taste. Dishes are often described not only by their flavor but also by how they feel when eaten.

Common Texture Words in Chinese

Here are some useful adjectives for describing texture and mouthfeel:

How to Use Texture Words in Sentences

Most texture words can work with the same structure used to describe flavors:

[Subject] + 很 + [texture adjective]

For example:

• 这块牛排很嫩。– This steak is tender.
• 这道小吃很有嚼劲。– This snack has a nice chewiness.

You can also combine taste and texture in one sentence:

• 这个饺子味道不错，口感也很好。
  This dumpling tastes good and also has a pleasant texture.

By combining words for flavor (味道) and texture (口感), you can give more complete and natural descriptions when talking about food — both in conversation and written Mandarin.

II. Best Resources to Learn Tastes in Chinese

Learning how to talk about tastes in Chinese becomes much easier when you have access to the right tools. Whether you prefer mobile apps, structured online courses, or printable practice sheets, there are plenty of effective resources designed specifically for beginners and intermediate learners.

Practice with Recommended Language Apps

• HelloChinese: Ideal for beginners, HelloChinese includes themed vocabulary sets—many related to food and taste. It integrates pronunciation, grammar, and interactive activities.
• Pleco: While primarily a dictionary app, Pleco lets you explore taste-related vocabulary using example sentences, handwriting recognition, and customizable flashcards.
• Skritter: Designed specifically for writing and retaining Chinese characters, Skritter is great for practicing 食 (food), 味 (taste), and other key components of this topic.
• Duolingo: For gamified learning, Duolingo includes taste-related phrases in its Food and Adjectives lessons. It’s useful for reinforcing basic sentence patterns.

Downloadable Worksheets and Flashcards

Print-based learners might prefer using downloadable resources. Search for:

• Printable taste vocabulary flashcards (with Chinese, Pinyin, and English)
• Fill-in-the-blank worksheets using 味道, 口感, and descriptive adjectives
• Illustrated posters or infographics showing the five basic flavors

Having a mix of digital and offline resources means you can review vocabulary in multiple ways—and apply them confidently in everyday conversations about food, preferences, and culture.

Learning how to describe taste in Chinese adds flavor to more than just your vocabulary—it deepens your cultural understanding and gives life to everyday conversations. So start practicing taste words today, and follow PREP for more resources to enrich your Mandarin learning journey.