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味道 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
味道wèidàoflavorHSK 4, n, rank #1153, Medium
味道wèidàosmellHSK 4, n, rank #1153, Medium
味道wèidàohint ofHSK 4, n, rank #1153, Medium
wèidào(wei4dao4) T4
  1. 1flavor
  2. 2smell
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March 24, 2026
味道wèidào(wei4dao4)

味道 (wèi dào) refers to the flavor or smell of food, drink, or even non-edible substances. It can describe pleasant or unpleasant tastes and scents, and is often used in contexts relating to cooking and sensory experiences.

Frequency#1153DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 味道 is central, reflecting the harmony of flavors in dishes, which is essential in traditional cooking practices and regional specialties.

Memory Tip

Think of 味 (wèi) as 'taste' – imagine a 'weigh' scale balancing flavors. The character 道 (dào) can be visualized as a path leading to understanding flavors. Together, 味道 signifies the journey of tasting and smelling.

Meanings of 味道

wèidào(wei4dao4)
1flavor
2smell
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 味道

味道Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1153Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 味道

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Podcast: 味道

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AI Study Notes for 味道

Quick Contrast

味 (wèi) vs. 香味 (xiāngwèi) — use 味道 for general taste or smell, while 香味 specifically refers to pleasant aromas.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 味 (wèi) as 'taste' – imagine a 'weigh' scale balancing flavors. The character 道 (dào) can be visualized as a path leading to understanding flavors. Together, 味道 signifies the journey of tasting and smelling.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 味道 when discussing texture, which is incorrect; instead, use 口感 (kǒu gǎn). It's generally used in informal contexts, but can also fit in food reviews or casual conversations about cooking. Pay attention to the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 4, students should connect 味道 with related vocabulary such as 食物 (shí wù - food) and 香味 (xiāng wèi - aroma). Focus on practicing sentences that describe different flavors.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 味道 is central, reflecting the harmony of flavors in dishes, which is essential in traditional cooking practices and regional specialties.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 味道 with the more specific term 香味 (xiāng wèi), which exclusively refers to pleasant smells. For example, saying '这道菜的香味很好' (Zhè dào cài de xiāng wèi hěn hǎo) is incorrect if they mean to discuss the overall flavor; it should be '这道菜的味道很好' (Zhè dào cài de wèidào hěn hǎo).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 味道

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Component Characters

味wèitaste
HSK 48 strokes口
View full entry
道dàodirection
HSK 412 strokes辶
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Write 味道

味
道

Practice writing 味道 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 味道

味道 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

那家餐厅关门了，我们再也吃不到那个____了。

That restaurant closed — we can never taste that flavor again.

Example Sentences for 味道 (10)

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1
然后他抽了抽鼻子，发觉有一股烧焦的味道。

rán hòu tā chōu le chōu bí zǐ， ， fā jué yǒu yī gǔ shāo jiāo de wèi。

Then he sniffed. There was a smell of burning.
2
空气非常寒冷，似乎有雪的味道。

kōng qì fēi cháng hán lěng， ， sì hū yǒu xuě de wèi。

There was a bite in the air, a smell perhaps of snow.
3
有踩烂的青草与泥土的味道。

yǒu cǎi làn de qīng cǎo yǔ ní tǔ de wèi dào。

There was a smell of trampled grass and earth.
4
这部电影是一部制作精良、很有味道、表演臻于完美的作品。

zhè bù diàn yǐng shì yī bù zhì zuò jīng liáng、 、 hěn yǒu wèi、 dào 、 biǎo yǎn zhēn yú wán měi de。

The film is a well made, atmospheric, consummately acted piece.
5
他的第三张专辑是迄今最有味道的。

tā de dì sān zhāng zhuān jí shì qì jīn zuì yǒu wèi dào de。

His third album is by far his most interesting.
6
他们坚持要比淡而无味的英国货味道更好的巧克力。

tā mén jiān chí yào bǐ dàn ér wú wèi de yīng guó huò wèi dào gēng hǎo de qiǎo kè lì。

They insist on tastier chocolate than the anaemic British stuff.
7
端来了几杯马德拉白葡萄酒，我们一致认为它的味道好极了。

duān lái le jī bēi mǎ dé lā bái pú táo jiǔ， ， wǒ mén yī zhì rèn wéi tā de wèi dào hǎo jí。

Glasses of Madeira wine were brought to us. We declared it delicious.
8
我们会被好闻的味道吸引，难闻的味道则会让我们退避三舍。

wǒ mén huì bèi hǎo wén de wèi dào xī yǐn， ， nán wén de wèi dào zé huì ràng wǒ mén tuì bì sān。

We are attracted by nice smells and recoil from nasty ones.
9
我晚餐吃的牛肉味道很好.

wǒ wǎn cān chī de niú ròu wèi dào hěn hǎo.

The beef I had at supper was very delicious.
10
这栋大楼外面的气味让人无法忍受——就像臭鸡蛋的味道。

zhè dòng dà lóu wài miàn de qì wèi ràng rén wú fǎ rěn shòu—— —— jiù xiàng chòu jī dàn de wèi。

The smell outside this building is overwhelming — like rotten eggs.

Cultural Notes for 味道

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 味道 is central, reflecting the harmony of flavors in dishes, which is essential in traditional cooking practices and regional specialties.

Frequently Asked Questions about 味道

You can say: 这个菜的味道怎么样？(Zhège cài de wèidào zěnme yàng?)