Definition
This four-character idiom literally names the four basic tastes (sour, sweet, bitter, spicy) but is almost always used figuratively to mean 'the joys and sorrows of life' or 'all the ups and downs.' Unlike single-taste words like 甜 or 苦, it refers to the full range of life experiences. It is broader than 悲欢离合 (joys and sorrows, partings and reunions), which focuses on emotional events rather than the full spectrum of hardships and pleasures.
phrase
(idiom, literal) soursweetbitterand spicy hot — the four basic tastes(idiom, figurative) the joys and sorrows of lifeall the ups andwelling range of ups and downs
Examples
- 酸甜苦辣，。Zhǐ yǒu cháng guo rénshēng de suān tián kǔ là, cái néng biàn de chéngshú.Only after tasting life's ups and downs can you become mature.
- 酸甜苦辣，。Tā jīnglì le chuàngyè de suān tián kǔ là, zuìhòu zhōngyú chénggōng le.She went through all the ups and downs of starting a business and finally succeeded.
- 酸甜苦辣，。Zhè dào cài bāohán le suān tián kǔ là sì zhǒng wèidào, fēicháng dútè.This dish contains all four flavors — sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy — and is very unique.
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