菜很好吃
cài hěn hǎochī
The English phrase "the food is good" is translated into Chinese as 菜很好吃 (cài hěn hǎochī).
This phrase is used specifically to compliment the taste of cooked food, rather than the quality of raw ingredients.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 菜 (dish/food), 很 (very) and 好吃 (delicious/good to eat).
Which one should you use?
While 菜 refers to cooked dishes or food in general, using 食物 would sound more clinical or formal and is less common when complimenting a meal. If you are pointing at a specific dish, you can omit the subject and simply say 很好吃. Other ways to express different levels of deliciousness include 好吃极了 (extremely delicious), 超级好吃 (super tasty) and 真好吃啊 (really delicious!).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, the adverb 很 is typically used before an adjective to link the subject to the predicate, even if the English translation doesn't strictly require 'very'.
How do you pronounce it?
cài hěn hǎochī
Did you know?
- The character 菜 used for 'food' also means 'vegetable' and is used as a slang term for a 'noob' or someone who is bad at a game.
- In some Chinese cultures, if you finish every grain of rice to show the food was 'good', the host might worry they didn't provide enough food and feel embarrassed.
- Chinese has a specific word, 口福, which refers to the 'luck of the mouth' or the blessing of being able to eat delicious food.
Examples in context
- 这些饺子真是太好吃了！皮薄馅儿多，肉汁鲜美，简直是完美的组合！These dumplings are incredibly tasty! The thin skin, generous filling, and flavorful juices form a perfect combination!
- 妈妈做的菜很好吃。Māma zuò de cài hěn hǎochī.The food mom makes is delicious.
- 这家店的菜很好吃。Zhè jiā diàn de cài hěn hǎochī.The food at this shop is very good.
- 我觉得这些菜很好吃。Wǒ juéde zhèxiē cài hěn hǎochī.I think this food is delicious.
Example conversation
Two friends are eating at a new restaurant.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，你觉得这家的菜很好吃吗？Wěi, nǐ juéde zhè jiā de cài hěn hǎochī ma?Wei, do you think the food here is good?
- 伟 Wei是的，这里的菜很好吃。Shì de, zhèlǐ de cài hěn hǎochī.Yes, the food here is delicious.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也觉得菜很好吃。Wǒ yě juéde cài hěn hǎochī.I also think the food is good.
- 伟 Wei我们再点一个菜吧。Wǒmen zài diǎn yīgè cài ba.Let's order another dish.
