辣
là
The English word 'spicy' is translated into Chinese as 辣 (là).
辣 is used to describe the burning sensation provided by chilies and other spices. To say that food is not spicy, you can place the negation 不 directly before 辣 to form 不辣.
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 辣 refers generally to the burning heat of chilies, the term 麻辣 describes a specific combination of chili heat and the numbing sensation caused by Sichuan peppercorns.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Sichuan province, locals often use the term 麻辣 to describe the characteristic numbing and spicy sensation typical of their cuisine.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a quality like spiciness, you typically use the adverb 很 instead of the verb 'to be'. For example, you would say 很辣 to mean 'very spicy'.
How do you pronounce it?
là
Did you know?
- The character 辣 contains the radical 辛, which originally depicted a needle used for tattooing or punishment. This radical is used in many Chinese words relating to bitterness or pungent tastes.
- In Chinese culture, the sensation of 辣 is often associated with 'yang' energy, believed to warm the body and expel dampness from the system.
- In many parts of China, a person might use the word 辣 to describe something that is 'sharp' or 'piercing' in temperament, not just food.
Examples in context
- 汤姆不喜欢任何辣的食物。Tom doesn't like any kind of spicy food.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for any kind of spicy food using 辣.Tatoeba #1416283 by sadhen, translation #1094419 by CK
- 说实话，这对我来说有点太辣了。To tell you the truth, this is a little too spicy for me.This sentence is useful for stating that something is a little too spicy using 辣.Tatoeba #8556491 by slo_oth, translation #3205137 by CK
- 阿嗄拉咭是源自非洲的巴西食品，是豇豆面团、洋葱和盐，经棕榈油炸，与虾和辣酱一起食用的食品。Acaraje, a Brazilian food from Africa, is a ball of caupi bean dough, onions, and salt, fried in palm oil and served with shrimp and a spicy sauce.This sentence uses 辣 to describe a spicy sauce in a description of a Brazilian food.Tatoeba #5685964 by verdastelo9604, translation #3389242 by hoffmania
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A restaurant where the two friends are choosing a dish.
- 梓涵 Zihan你觉得这个菜辣吗？Nǐ juéde zhège cài là ma?Do you think this dish is spicy?
- 浩然 Haoran有一点点辣，但是很好吃。Yǒu yīdiǎndiǎn là, dànshì hěn hǎochī.It is a little spicy, but very delicious.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，你喜欢吃辣吗？Hàorán, nǐ xǐhuān chī là ma?Haoran, do you like eating spicy food?
- 浩然 Haoran我很喜欢，我不怕辣。Wǒ hěn xǐhuān, wǒ bù pà là.I like it very much, I am not afraid of spicy food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spicy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
