When you're eating something and it just doesn't have any flavor, you can say 尝不到 (cháng bu dào). This means you literally "cannot taste" it. Maybe you have a cold, or the food itself is bland. It's often used when you expect a taste but it's absent.
When you cannot taste something at all, whether due to illness, lack of flavor, or some other reason, use 尝不到 (cháng bu dào). This means the ability to taste is completely absent or the flavor is imperceptible.
It emphasizes the *result* of not being able to taste, rather than just the act of not tasting. Think of it as 'succeeding at not tasting' or 'failing to taste'.
§ What "尝不到" Means
- Chinese Word
- 尝不到 (cháng bù dào)
- Grammar
- Verb
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- Unable to taste, cannot taste.
You might be familiar with 尝 (cháng), which means 'to taste'. The phrase 尝不到 is formed by adding 不到 (bù dào), which indicates an inability to achieve an action or a result. So, 尝不到 literally means 'to taste but not achieve the result' – in other words, you can't taste it.
§ Why You Can't Taste It: Common Reasons
There are a few main reasons why someone might say they 尝不到 something. Understanding these will help you use the phrase correctly.
- Sickness: This is a very common reason. If you have a cold or the flu, your sense of taste is often affected.
- Bland Food: Sometimes, food simply doesn't have much flavor.
- Being Too Far Away: While less common for literal tasting, it can be used metaphorically.
§ Hearing "尝不到" at Work and School
While you might not hear this word every day in a formal work or school setting, it comes up in casual conversations, especially during lunch breaks or coffee chats. It's a natural part of everyday Chinese.
我感冒了，吃什么都尝不到味道。
Translation hint: "I have a cold, I can't taste anything I eat."
这道菜太清淡了，我几乎尝不到任何味道。
Translation hint: "This dish is too bland, I can barely taste any flavor."
§ "尝不到" in News and Media
In news reports, especially those related to health or consumer products, you might encounter 尝不到. For instance, reports on food quality or health issues can feature this word.
- Health News: When discussing symptoms of illnesses, particularly those affecting senses.
- Food Reviews: Less common, but could appear if a food item is so bland it lacks any discernible taste.
一些新冠肺炎患者报告说他们尝不到食物的味道。
Translation hint: "Some COVID-19 patients reported that they couldn't taste food."
§ Everyday Conversations with "尝不到"
This is where you'll hear 尝不到 most often. It's a natural way to express a common human experience.
你加了盐吗？我怎么完全尝不到咸味。
Translation hint: "Did you add salt? How come I can't taste any saltiness at all?"
这汤看起来很美味，可惜我因为喉咙痛尝不到它的好味道。
Translation hint: "This soup looks delicious, but unfortunately, because of my sore throat, I can't taste its good flavor."
§ Key Takeaway for "尝不到"
Remember that 尝不到 isn't just about not liking a taste, but genuinely being unable to perceive it. It's a practical phrase for describing a loss or lack of taste due to illness, blandness, or sometimes even distance (though less common for taste).
دليل النطق
- Tones for 'bu' and 'dao'
- Pronouncing 'ch' correctly
أمثلة حسب المستوى
这个汤尝不到味道。
This soup has no taste. (cannot taste the flavor)
我感冒了，什么都尝不到。
I have a cold, I can't taste anything.
这个苹果不甜，尝不到糖味。
This apple isn't sweet, I can't taste any sugar.
他吃得太快，尝不到食物的美味。
He eats too fast, he can't taste the deliciousness of the food.
水煮白菜尝不到什么味道。
Boiled cabbage doesn't have much taste. (cannot taste much flavor)
我的舌头麻了，尝不到辣味。
My tongue is numb, I can't taste the spicy flavor.
饭菜很淡，尝不到盐味。
The food is bland, I can't taste the salt.
这个蛋糕太硬，尝不到软糯的口感。
This cake is too hard, I can't taste the soft and chewy texture.
我的鼻子堵了，所以尝不到。
My nose is blocked, so I can't taste.
这个菜一点味道都没有，我尝不到。
This dish has no taste at all, I can't taste it.
感冒的时候，我什么都尝不到。
When I have a cold, I can't taste anything.
他病了，所以尝不到水果的甜味。
He is sick, so he can't taste the sweetness of the fruit.
你尝不到这个汤的味道吗？
Can't you taste the flavor of this soup?
因为放了太多辣椒，我尝不到别的味道了。
Because there was too much chili, I couldn't taste other flavors.
她的舌头受伤了，所以尝不到任何东西。
Her tongue is injured, so she can't taste anything.
我觉得这个菜很淡，你尝不到吗？
I think this dish is bland, can't you taste it?
我感冒了，所以什么东西都尝不到味道。
I have a cold, so I can't taste anything.
A common reason for being unable to taste.
这道菜太辣了，我除了辣味，其他的都尝不到。
This dish is too spicy; besides the spiciness, I can't taste anything else.
Emphasizes that only one strong flavor is perceivable.
他做饭总是少放盐，所以常常尝不到咸味。
He always uses too little salt when cooking, so he often can't taste the saltiness.
Describes a habitual action and its consequence.
因为味觉失灵，他已经很久尝不到食物的美味了。
Due to a loss of taste, he hasn't been able to taste the deliciousness of food for a long time.
Highlights a prolonged state of being unable to taste.
这种药有点苦，但为了健康，苦味尝不到也要吃。
This medicine is a bit bitter, but for health, even if you can't taste the bitterness, you have to take it.
Uses '尝不到也要' to express a necessary action despite a sensory limitation.
自从戒烟后，他对食物的味道敏感多了，以前很多都尝不到。
Since quitting smoking, he's much more sensitive to food flavors; before, he couldn't taste many of them.
Compares past and present sensory experiences.
如果一个苹果不新鲜，你就尝不到它应有的清甜。
If an apple isn't fresh, you won't be able to taste its proper crisp sweetness.
Describes a hypothetical situation and its sensory outcome.
她最近胃口不好，吃什么都尝不到滋味，所以很担心。
She hasn't had a good appetite lately, can't taste anything she eats, and is very worried.
Connects inability to taste with a broader health concern.
أنماط نحوية
أنماط الجُمل
我尝不到+ [food/drink].
我尝不到这个菜的味道。 (I can't taste the flavor of this dish.)
[person] 尝不到+ [food/drink].
他感冒了，所以尝不到咖啡的味道。 (He has a cold, so he can't taste the coffee.)
尝不到+ [abstract noun like 甜味/咸味/辣味].
我的舌头麻了，尝不到甜味。 (My tongue is numb, I can't taste sweetness.)
因为 [reason], 所以尝不到+ [food/drink].
因为我的鼻子不通气，所以尝不到饭菜的香味。 (Because my nose is stuffy, I can't taste the aroma of the food.)
如果 [condition], 就尝不到+ [food/drink].
如果你吃了很辣的东西，可能就尝不到其他的味道了。 (If you eat something very spicy, you might not be able to taste other flavors.)
尝不到+ [food/drink] 的味道。
我今天吃什么都尝不到味道。 (I can't taste anything I eat today.)
尝不到+ [food/drink] 是因为 [reason].
我尝不到这个汤的咸味是因为我加了太多水。 (I can't taste the saltiness of this soup because I added too much water.)
有时候，我们尝不到+ [food/drink].
有时候，压力大会让我们尝不到食物的真味。 (Sometimes, high stress can make us unable to taste the true flavor of food.)
عائلة الكلمة
الأسماء
الأفعال
الصفات
نصائح
Basic Breakdown
「尝」 (cháng) means to taste. 「不」 (bù) is a negative, meaning not. 「到」 (dào) here indicates the successful completion or result of an action, so 「尝不到」 means unable to achieve the act of tasting.
Direct Translation
Think of 「尝不到」 as a simple 'cannot taste' or 'unable to taste'. It's very direct. If you can't taste something, this is the phrase to use.
Use with Illness
It's common to use this phrase when you are sick, especially with a cold or flu, and your sense of taste is impaired. For example, '我感冒了，什么都尝不到' (Wǒ gǎnmào le, shénme dōu cháng bù dào - I have a cold, I can't taste anything).
Sensory Experience
「尝不到」 specifically refers to the sense of taste. Don't confuse it with not being able to smell (闻不到 wén bù dào) or see (看不到 kàn bù dào).
Past or Present
This phrase can be used for both current inability to taste and past situations where one couldn't taste. The context will make it clear.
Not About Dislike
「尝不到」 means you physically cannot taste something, not that you dislike the taste. If you dislike it, you would say '我不喜欢这个味道' (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège wèidào - I don't like this taste).
Common Scenario
Imagine you're eating a dish that's supposed to be spicy, but it's very bland. You could say, '这个菜一点辣味都尝不到' (Zhège cài yīdiǎn làwèi dōu cháng bù dào - I can't taste any spiciness in this dish at all).
Practice Sentence
Try saying: '我的舌头麻了，什么味道都尝不到' (Wǒ de shétou má le, shénme wèidào dōu cháng bù dào - My tongue is numb, I can't taste any flavor).
Resultative Complement
「到」 is a resultative complement here. It shows that the action (尝 - to taste) did not achieve its intended result (being able to taste). This is a common structure in Chinese.
Opposite Phrase
The opposite is 「尝到」 (cháng dào), which means to succeed in tasting or to manage to taste. For example, '我尝到了咖啡的苦味' (Wǒ cháng dào le kāfēi de kǔwèi - I tasted the bitterness of the coffee).
تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية
سياقات واقعية
Eating when sick (e.g., with a cold or flu) often impairs one's sense of taste.
- 我感冒了，所以什么都尝不到。
- 你尝不到味道是因为你生病了。
- 我希望我能尝到这个汤的味道，但是我的鼻子堵住了。
When food is very bland or lacks seasoning, making it difficult to discern any particular flavor.
- 这道菜太平淡了，我尝不到什么味道。
- 盐放少了，所以尝不到咸味。
- 这个粥一点味道都没有，尝不到米香。
After eating something very strong or spicy, subsequent foods might seem tasteless.
- 吃了那么多辣椒，我现在尝不到其他味道了。
- 我的舌头被麻木了，尝不到甜味。
- 他喝了很苦的药，现在尝不到咖啡的味道了。
Referring to someone who has lost their sense of taste due to a medical condition or aging.
- 爷爷年纪大了，很多食物都尝不到了。
- 她因为生病，现在尝不到味道了。
- 这种病会导致你尝不到酸甜苦辣。
Figuratively, when one cannot experience or appreciate the 'flavor' of something (e.g., the joy of a situation).
- 他心情不好，所以尝不到胜利的喜悦。
- 如果你不投入，就尝不到学习的乐趣。
- 生活太忙碌，都尝不到生活的美好了。
بدايات محادثة
"你什么时候尝不到味道？"
"如果你感冒了，你会尝不到什么？"
"有没有什么食物是你尝不到味道，但是别人觉得很有味道的？"
"你觉得人生中有什么事情，是如果你不努力就尝不到它的“味道”的？"
"如果一个人永远尝不到味道，你觉得这对他的生活会有什么影响？"
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
描述一次你生病时尝不到味道的经历。你当时吃了什么？感觉如何？
想象一下，你正在品尝一道你最喜欢的菜，但是你却尝不到任何味道。你会怎么做？
写一篇关于“味道”对你生活的重要性。如果你尝不到味道，你的生活会有什么不同？
思考并写下，在你的生活中，有什么是你曾经“尝不到”其美好，但后来才体会到的？
你认为在文化交流中，如果不能真正体验（“尝到”）对方的文化，会有什么遗憾？
اختبر نفسك 48 أسئلة
A: 你喜欢这杯咖啡吗？B: 我感冒了，___ 它的味道。
'尝不到' means unable to taste, which fits the context of having a cold.
这道菜很辣，但是因为我鼻子不舒服，我___。
If your nose is uncomfortable, you might not be able to taste the spiciness.
小明生病了，所以他吃什么都___。
Being sick often makes it difficult to taste food.
如果你感冒了，你可能尝不到食物的味道。
When you have a cold, your sense of taste can be affected.
尝不到意思是能尝到。
尝不到 means 'unable to taste', which is the opposite of 'able to taste'.
如果食物很咸，你一定尝不到盐味。
If food is very salty, you should be able to taste the salt. '尝不到' implies an inability to taste.
这个菜太淡了，我一点味道都___。
The sentence means 'This dish is too bland, I can't taste any flavor at all.' '尝不到' fits best here.
感冒的时候，鼻子不通，嘴巴也___味道。
The sentence means 'When you have a cold, your nose is blocked, and your mouth also can't taste anything.' '尝不到' is appropriate for describing the inability to taste.
因为嗓子疼，我吃什么都___。
The sentence means 'Because my throat hurts, I can't taste anything I eat.' '尝不到' indicates the inability to perceive taste.
这个苹果看起来很好，但是咬了一口，发现___味道。
The sentence means 'This apple looks good, but after taking a bite, I found I couldn't taste anything.' '尝不到' is correct for 'can't taste'.
医生说我生病了，所以___东西的味道。
The sentence means 'The doctor said I was sick, so I can't taste things.' '尝不到' is the correct verb to use here.
他做了很多菜，但我现在感冒了，___它的美味。
The sentence means 'He made many dishes, but I have a cold now, so I can't taste their deliciousness.' '尝不到' is the appropriate word for being unable to taste.
The speaker is explaining why they can't taste anything.
The speaker is talking about a dish that lacks a certain flavor.
The speaker is describing someone's inability to taste a specific flavor.
Read this aloud:
因为我鼻子不通，所以尝不到这个蛋糕的甜味。
Focus: 尝不到 (cháng bú dào)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这汤太淡了，我尝不到鲜味。
Focus: 尝不到 (cháng bú dào)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你尝得到这杯咖啡的苦味吗？我尝不到。
Focus: 尝得到 (cháng dé dào) and 尝不到 (cháng bú dào)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The correct order is to place the reason ('because of cold') before the action ('he cannot taste').
The first part describes the dish, and the second part states the consequence.
This sentence follows a conditional structure: 'If... then...'.
The sentence describes his current inability to taste due to illness.
The sentence connects the lack of sugar to the inability to taste sweetness.
This sentence expresses that even with many seasonings, he cannot taste the unique flavor.
朋友得了流感，他对我说：“我吃什么都___，太难受了。”
The context is about eating and the inability to taste due to illness. '尝不到' (cháng bù dào) means 'cannot taste'.
她因为长期吸烟，味觉变得迟钝，现在很多食物的本味她都___。
'尝不到' (cháng bù dào) accurately describes the inability to perceive the taste of food due to dulled taste buds. '尝不了' (cháng bù liǎo) implies not being able to taste due to an external reason or lack of capacity, but '尝不到' fits the sensory inability better here.
做饭时，如果调料放少了，这道菜就会很淡，让人___原有的风味。
If the seasoning is insufficient, one wouldn't be able to taste the original flavor. '尝不到' (cháng bù dào) means 'cannot taste' or 'unable to taste'. '尝不出' (cháng bù chū) is also possible but '尝不到' emphasizes the complete absence of taste perception.
如果你感冒了，很可能因为鼻塞而尝不到食物的味道。
This statement is true. Nasal congestion from a cold often impairs one's sense of smell, which significantly affects the perception of taste.
一个人如果味觉失灵，就什么东西都尝不到了。
This statement is true. If one's sense of taste is completely lost or impaired, they would indeed be unable to taste anything.
由于舌头上有伤口，他暂时尝不到辛辣食物的味道，但对甜味没有影响。
This statement is false. While a wound on the tongue might specifically affect the perception of certain tastes, the inability to taste spicy food usually indicates a broader issue with taste perception, and it's unlikely that only one type of taste would be affected with no impact on others if the taste buds are damaged.
Describe a time you were sick and couldn't taste anything. How did it affect your experience with food? Use '尝不到' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
去年我得了重感冒，鼻子不通，结果什么味道都尝不到。那几天吃饭简直是折磨，感觉吃什么都像嚼蜡，完全体会不到食物的美味。连我最喜欢的麻辣火锅，都尝不到辣味和香味，真是太遗憾了。
Imagine a chef who has lost his sense of taste. How would he continue to cook or innovate? Focus on the challenges and potential solutions, using '尝不到' to highlight his predicament.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果一位厨师尝不到味道，那无疑是职业生涯的巨大打击。他可能需要完全依赖其他感官，比如视觉、嗅觉和触觉来判断菜肴。也许他会研发出更注重食材本身质感和香气的菜品，或者通过与助手反复沟通，来确保味道的准确性。这会是一个极其艰难的转型过程。
Discuss the cultural implications of not being able to taste in a society where food plays a significant role in social gatherings and celebrations. How would it impact personal relationships and enjoyment?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在一个以食物为重要社交纽带的文化中，如果一个人尝不到味道，他可能会感到被边缘化。聚餐时，大家都在分享美食的感受，而他却无法参与。这不仅影响了个人对美食的享受，也可能让他在社交场合中感到格格不入，甚至影响与亲友之间的情感交流。食物不仅仅是饱腹，更是情感的载体。
根据短文，小明为什么尝不到任何食物的味道？
Read this passage:
小明最近生病了，味觉暂时失灵。医生告诉他，这是因为感冒病毒影响了他的嗅觉神经，导致他尝不到任何食物的味道。他感到非常沮丧，因为他是一个热爱美食的人，现在连最喜欢的巧克力都感觉不出甜味。
根据短文，小明为什么尝不到任何食物的味道？
短文中明确指出：“医生告诉他，这是因为感冒病毒影响了他的嗅觉神经，导致他尝不到任何食物的味道。”
短文中明确指出：“医生告诉他，这是因为感冒病毒影响了他的嗅觉神经，导致他尝不到任何食物的味道。”
根据短文，除了感冒，还有什么原因可能导致人们尝不到味道？
Read this passage:
有些疾病，比如某些神经系统疾病，可能会导致患者的味觉受损甚至完全丧失。在这种情况下，即使食物本身味道浓郁，患者也尝不到丝毫滋味。这对他们的生活质量造成了很大的影响，因为吃饭的乐趣大大减少了。
根据短文，除了感冒，还有什么原因可能导致人们尝不到味道？
短文中提到：“有些疾病，比如某些神经系统疾病，可能会导致患者的味觉受损甚至完全丧失。”
短文中提到：“有些疾病，比如某些神经系统疾病，可能会导致患者的味觉受损甚至完全丧失。”
当人们尝不到味道时，他们可能会更加注重食物的哪些方面来弥补？
Read this passage:
对于那些尝不到味道的人来说，食物的纹理和香气变得尤为重要。他们会更加注重咀嚼时的口感，以及食材本身散发出的原始香气，以此来弥补味觉的缺失。烹饪时，厨师们也需要特别注意这些方面，以提供更好的用餐体验。
当人们尝不到味道时，他们可能会更加注重食物的哪些方面来弥补？
短文中指出：“对于那些尝不到味道的人来说，食物的纹理和香气变得尤为重要。他们会更加注重咀嚼时的口感，以及食材本身散发出的原始香气，以此来弥补味觉的缺失。”
短文中指出：“对于那些尝不到味道的人来说，食物的纹理和香气变得尤为重要。他们会更加注重咀嚼时的口感，以及食材本身散发出的原始香气，以此来弥补味觉的缺失。”
This sentence structure indicates cause and effect: 'Because...therefore...'. '尝不到' is placed before the object '任何味道'.
The sentence begins with '由于' (due to) to explain the reason. '尝不到' is followed by the comprehensive phrase '食物的酸甜苦辣' (the sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy tastes of food).
This sentence uses '尽管...依然...' (despite...still...) for concession. '尝不到' is used metaphorically here, meaning 'unable to grasp' or 'unable to appreciate' the essence of the dish.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Breakdown
「尝」 (cháng) means to taste. 「不」 (bù) is a negative, meaning not. 「到」 (dào) here indicates the successful completion or result of an action, so 「尝不到」 means unable to achieve the act of tasting.
Direct Translation
Think of 「尝不到」 as a simple 'cannot taste' or 'unable to taste'. It's very direct. If you can't taste something, this is the phrase to use.
Use with Illness
It's common to use this phrase when you are sick, especially with a cold or flu, and your sense of taste is impaired. For example, '我感冒了，什么都尝不到' (Wǒ gǎnmào le, shénme dōu cháng bù dào - I have a cold, I can't taste anything).
Sensory Experience
「尝不到」 specifically refers to the sense of taste. Don't confuse it with not being able to smell (闻不到 wén bù dào) or see (看不到 kàn bù dào).
محتوى ذو صلة
قواعد ذات صلة
مزيد من كلمات food
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
一杯
B1Measure word for a cup of liquid.
