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滋味 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
滋味zīwèitasteHSK 7, n, rank #4334, Hard
滋味zīwèiflavorHSK 7, n, rank #4334, Hard
滋味zīwèifeelingHSK 7, n, rank #4334, Hard
zīwèi(zi1wei4) T1
  1. 1taste
  2. 2flavor
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March 24, 2026
滋味zīwèi(zi1wei4)

滋味 (zi1 wei4) refers to the taste or flavor of food and can also describe a particular feeling or experience. It is commonly used in both culinary contexts and metaphorically to express the richness of experiences or emotions, often conveying a sense of depth or satisfaction.

Frequency#4334DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 滋味 is deeply tied to the philosophy of balancing flavors and textures, reflecting the importance of culinary harmony in traditional meals. This word often appears in discussions about regional dishes and their unique tastes.

Memory Tip

Imagine tasting a rich, flavorful dish that leaves a lasting impression—this embodies the essence of 滋味. The character 滋 has a water radical, suggesting nourishment, while 味 (wei) relates to taste, helping you remember that this word is all about savoring life’s flavors.

Meanings of 滋味

zīwèi(zi1wei4)
1taste
2flavor
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 滋味

滋味Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4334Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 滋味

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Podcast: 滋味

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AI Study Notes for 滋味

Quick Contrast

味道 (wèidào) - use 滋味 when emphasizing richness or depth of flavor/experience over the more general taste implied by 味道.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine tasting a rich, flavorful dish that leaves a lasting impression—this embodies the essence of 滋味. The character 滋 has a water radical, suggesting nourishment, while 味 (wei) relates to taste, helping you remember that this word is all about savoring life’s flavors.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 滋味 with other terms related to taste, like 味道 (wei4 dao5), which specifically means 'flavor.' 滋味 can also denote emotional experiences, so context is key. It's used in both formal and informal settings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 滋味 connects to other vocabulary related to feelings and sensory experiences. Focus on how to use it in both culinary contexts and metaphorical expressions to deepen your understanding of nuanced language.

Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 滋味 is deeply tied to the philosophy of balancing flavors and textures, reflecting the importance of culinary harmony in traditional meals. This word often appears in discussions about regional dishes and their unique tastes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 滋味 by saying it only refers to food, while it can also describe feelings. For example, saying '他的滋味很美' (His taste is beautiful) is incorrect; instead, say '他的生活滋味很美' (His life is very rich).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 滋味

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Component Characters

to grow
12 strokes
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wèitaste
HSK 48 strokes
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Write 滋味

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

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Grammar Patterns of 滋味

滋味 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

迈克·爱德华兹已经尝到了巨大成功的____。

Mike Edwards has tasted success big time.

Example Sentences for 滋味 (4)

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1
迈克·爱德华兹已经尝到了巨大成功的滋味。

mài kè· · ài dé huá zī yǐ jīng cháng dào le jù dà chéng gōng de zī。

Mike Edwards has tasted success big time.
2
他的信跟他的诗一样,读来令生活更添滋味,可谓一大乐事。

tā de xìn gēn tā de shī yī yàng, , dú lái líng shēng huó gēng tiān zī, wèi , kě wèi yī dà。

His letters, like his poetry, are life-enhancing and a delight.
3
盼望音信而家书却不到,那滋味可真是难受 啊 !

pàn wàng yīn xìn ér jiā shū què bù dào, , nà zī wèi kě zhēn shì nán shòu!

It's terrible to hunger for news when the family's letters don't arrive!
4
没挨过饿的人不知道饥饿是什么滋味.

méi āi guò è de rén bù zhī dào jī è shì shí mó zī wèi.

Those who have not known hunger can never imagine how it feels.

Cultural Notes for 滋味

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 滋味 is deeply tied to the philosophy of balancing flavors and textures, reflecting the importance of culinary harmony in traditional meals. This word often appears in discussions about regional dishes and their unique tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions about 滋味

Yes, 滋味 can describe feelings or experiences, emphasizing the richness or depth of those moments.