Definition
辣 (là) means 'spicy/hot' in the sense of chili pepper flavor — it describes a burning taste, not temperature. For temperature, use 热 (rè) for warm/hot objects or weather, and 烫 (tàng) for scalding hot liquids or surfaces. 麻辣 (má là) is a specific Sichuan-style numbing spice, not just 辣.
adjective
spicyhot (of food)
Easily confused
- 辩biànlook-aliketo debate, to argue, to dispute
- 啦lasound-alike(modal particle, sentence-final) used in casual speech to express exclamation, reminder, urgency, or a lighthearted mood
- 宰zǎilook-aliketo slaughter, to butcher (an animal)
- 拉lāsound-aliketo pull, to drag, to draw
- 落làsound-aliketo leave out, to omit; to be missing
- 蜡làsound-alikecandle
Examples
- 辣，。Zhège cài tài là le, wǒ chī bù liǎo.This dish is too spicy, I can't eat it.
- 辣？Nǐ xǐhuan chī là de shíwù ma?Do you like eating spicy food?
- 辣。Sìchuān de là huǒguō hěn yǒumíng.Sichuan's spicy hotpot is very famous.
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