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March 24, 2026
清淡qīngdàn(qing1dan4)
清淡 refers to food that is light, not greasy, and lacking strong flavors. It is commonly used to describe dishes that are healthy and easy to digest, often preferred in contexts where individuals are looking for a milder taste or a lighter meal option.
Frequency#23020DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on health and balance in diet, particularly the idea of '清淡' meals being beneficial, especially in traditional medicine. Light dishes are often preferred during hot weather or when recovering from illness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clear, light stream (清) flowing gently, with soft, non-greasy food floating on top (淡). The sound of 'qing' is like the gentle trickle of water, and 'dan' recalls the simplicity of light food—think of a diet that feels refreshing rather than heavy.
Meanings of 清淡
qīngdàn(qing1dan4)
1light (of food, not greasy or strongly flavored)
2insipid
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About 清淡
清淡Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#23020Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 清淡
Podcast: 清淡
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AI Study Notes for 清淡
Quick Contrast
清淡 (light, mild) vs 清爽 (refreshing) — use 清淡 when emphasizing a lack of strong flavors, while 清爽 highlights a fresh and invigorating quality.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clear, light stream (清) flowing gently, with soft, non-greasy food floating on top (淡). The sound of 'qing' is like the gentle trickle of water, and 'dan' recalls the simplicity of light food—think of a diet that feels refreshing rather than heavy.
Usage Notes
This word is often used in restaurants and cooking contexts. A common mistake is to confuse it with '重' (zhòng), which means heavy or rich in flavor. Be mindful of using it in appropriate contexts, as it may sound too informal in high-end dining discussions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 清淡 connects with other food-related vocabulary at this level, enhancing your ability to describe meals and preferences. Focus on its usage in culinary contexts and practice using it in sentences about food experiences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on health and balance in diet, particularly the idea of '清淡' meals being beneficial, especially in traditional medicine. Light dishes are often preferred during hot weather or when recovering from illness.
Common Mistakes
Learners may incorrectly use 清淡 to describe rich or flavorful dishes. For example, saying '这道菜很清淡' (This dish is very light) when referring to a spicy dish would be incorrect; the right phrase would be '这道菜很重' (This dish is very rich).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 清淡
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Grammar Patterns of 清淡
清淡 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
激进的女权主义是时下____阶层热议的话题。
Radical feminism is currently the fashionable topic among the chattering classes.
Example Sentences for 清淡 (10)
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1
激进的女权主义是时下清淡阶层热议的话题。
jī jìn de nǚ quán zhǔ yì shì shí xià qīng dàn jiē céng rè yì de huà tí。
Radical feminism is currently the fashionable topic among the chattering classes.
To maintain my weight, I started trying to eat some light foods.
Cultural Notes for 清淡
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on health and balance in diet, particularly the idea of '清淡' meals being beneficial, especially in traditional medicine. Light dishes are often preferred during hot weather or when recovering from illness.
Frequently Asked Questions about 清淡
Yes, 清淡 can describe drinks that are light and not rich or heavy, such as herbal teas.
While often positive, it can also imply that food is bland or insipid if used negatively.
