咸
xián
The English word "salty" is translated into Chinese as 咸 (xián).
The term is used to describe something that has the taste of salt.
Meaning: tasting of salt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 咸 is the standard form, 咸咸的 is a common informal way to describe a salty taste and the slang term 咸爆了 is used to express that something is extremely salty.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern China, particularly in Cantonese-speaking regions, the character 鹹 is used instead of 咸.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is "very salty", you typically place the adverb 很 (hěn) before 咸 to form 很咸.
How do you pronounce it?
xián
Did you know?
- In Chinese internet slang, the term 咸鱼 (salty fish) refers to a person who has no ambitions or desires to succeed in life. It is a popular way to describe oneself as a 'loser' or someone living a passive life.
- The phrase 咸鱼翻身 ('a salted fish flips over') is a popular idiom meaning that someone who was at the bottom of society has finally found a chance to succeed.
- While 咸 describes taste, the Chinese concept of 'salty' is sometimes linked to the 'Water' element in traditional medicine and the kidneys.
Examples in context
- 你不能喝海水，因为它太咸了。You can't drink seawater because it is too salty.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to describe the saltiness of seawater using 咸.Tatoeba #334680 by fucongcong, translation #387567 by Mouseneb
- 这个鱼有点咸。(Zhè gè yú yǒudiǎn xián.)This fish is a bit salty.
- 这道菜含盐量要适中。(Zhè dào cài hányán liàng yào shìzhōng.)The salt content of this dish should be moderate.
- 这碗汤有点咸咸的。(Zhè wǎn tāng yǒudiǎn xián xián de.)This bowl of soup is a bit salty.
- 这小吃摊的薯条咸爆了！(Zhè xiǎochī tān de shǔtiáo xián bào le!)The french fries from this snack stand are so salty!
- 我不喜欢吃太咸的食物。Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī tài xián de shíwù.I don't like eating food that is too salty.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, Xiaowen and Zhiqiang are tasting a new dish.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你觉得这个菜怎么样？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde zhège cài zěnmeyàng?Zhiqiang, what do you think of this dish?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我觉得有点咸。Wǒ juéde yǒudiǎn xián.I think it's a bit salty.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是吗？我没觉得这么咸。Shì ma? Wǒ méi juéde zhème xián.Really? I didn't think it was this salty.
- 志强 Zhiqiang可能是对我来说太咸了。Kěnéng shì duì wǒ lái shuō tài xián le.Maybe it's just too salty for me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
