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A2 adjective #3,500 le plus courant 6 min de lecture

鲜美

xiānměi Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 鲜美 en 30 secondes

Explication 鲜美 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of **鲜美 (xiānměi)** as a special way to say 'delicious.' Use it when talking about food that is very good, especially healthy things like fish or soup. It is a combination of two words you might already know: '鲜' (fresh/new) and '美' (beautiful/good). When you eat a soup that makes you feel happy because it tastes so natural and not salty, you can say '这个汤很鲜美.' Just remember, don't use it for candy or cake!

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For A2 learners, **鲜美** is an important word for describing the quality of food in a more specific way than '好吃.' It specifically describes the 'umami' or savory-fresh taste of ingredients. You will often see it used with '味道' (wèidào - taste). For example, '鱼的味道非常鲜美.' At this level, you should start to distinguish it from '新鲜' (xīnxiān). While '新鲜' means the food is not old, '鲜美' means the food tastes great because it is fresh. It is most commonly used for seafood, soups, and mushrooms.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use **鲜美** in more complex sentences and understand its cultural significance. In Chinese cooking, '鲜' (Xian) is a fundamental flavor profile. Using **鲜美** shows that you appreciate the chef's ability to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients without over-seasoning. You can use it as an attributive adjective, such as '鲜美的海鲜' (fresh and delicious seafood). You should also notice it in advertisements for sauces and broths, where it is used to promise a high-quality, savory experience.

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By B2, you should understand that **鲜美** is often contrasted with '重口味' (zhòng kǒuwèi - heavy flavors). It represents the aesthetic of 'lightness' (清淡) in Chinese cuisine, where the goal is to preserve the 'original flavor' (原汁原味). You might encounter this word in food reviews or travel blogs describing local specialties. It can also appear in slightly more abstract contexts, such as describing the 'fresh and beautiful' scenery of a lush forest, though this is less frequent than the culinary usage. You should be comfortable using degree adverbs like '极其' (extremely) or '无与伦比' (incomparable) with it.

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At the C1 level, **鲜美** can be analyzed through its historical and linguistic roots. The character '鲜' is composed of 'fish' and 'sheep,' the two meats considered most delicious in ancient China. This word carries a sense of abundance and natural perfection. In literary texts, **鲜美** might describe a 'Peach Blossom Spring' (世外桃源) where the grass is '鲜美' (lush and fresh). You should be able to use it in nuanced discussions about culinary philosophy, comparing the 'Xian' of different regional cuisines (like Cantonese vs. Huaiyang).

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For C2 speakers, **鲜美** is part of a rich tapestry of sensory descriptors. You can use it to critique high-end gastronomy, where the '鲜' might be achieved through complex fermentation or molecular techniques, yet still described as **鲜美** to evoke a sense of natural origin. You understand its subtle differences from '鲜香' (fresh and fragrant) or '甘甜' (sweet and refreshing). In classical or highly formal writing, you recognize its use in describing the vitality of nature or the 'fresh and beautiful' quality of a youthful complexion, though these are archaic or highly stylized uses.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

鲜美 en 30 secondes

鲜美 (xiānměi) is an A2-level adjective specifically used to describe food that is both exceptionally fresh and naturally savory (umami).
It is most commonly applied to seafood, broths, and mushrooms, highlighting the quality of the ingredients rather than heavy seasonings.
Grammatically, it functions as a predicate (很鲜美) or an attribute (鲜美的...), but should not be used for sweet or spicy foods.
Culturally, it represents the highest compliment in Chinese cuisine, focusing on the purity and 'essence' of the food's natural flavor.

The Chinese adjective 鲜美 (xiānměi) is a cornerstone of Chinese culinary vocabulary, specifically used to describe food that is both exceptionally fresh and rich in natural flavor. To understand this word, one must look at its components: 鲜 (xiān) meaning 'fresh' or 'bright,' and 美 (měi) meaning 'beautiful' or 'delicious.' Together, they describe a specific kind of deliciousness that is often associated with the concept of umami—the savory, satisfying taste found in seafood, mushrooms, and slow-cooked broths.

Core Essence: It refers to a taste that is clean, refreshing, and naturally savory. It is the opposite of 'greasy' or 'heavily seasoned.' When you eat something 鲜美, you are tasting the quality of the ingredient itself rather than the spices added to it.
Typical Subjects: Commonly applied to seafood (fish, shrimp, crab), soups (chicken broth, mushroom soup), and fresh vegetables (bamboo shoots, tender greens). It is rarely used for heavy meats like fatty pork or deep-fried fast food.

这碗鱼汤的味道非常鲜美，一点腥味都没有。
(This bowl of fish soup tastes incredibly fresh and delicious; there isn't a hint of fishiness at all.)

People use this word when they want to emphasize the high quality and natural sweetness of food. In a restaurant, if you are served a steamed fish that was swimming in a tank just minutes ago, the most appropriate compliment to the chef is '味道很鲜美.' It suggests a level of culinary purity that '好吃' (good to eat) does not fully capture.

这些刚采摘的蘑菇做成的汤，味道真是太鲜美了。
(The soup made from these freshly picked mushrooms is truly fresh and tasty.)

Beyond just taste, 鲜美 can occasionally be used metaphorically to describe a scene or a piece of writing that is fresh and beautiful, though its primary domain remains the dining table. It evokes a sensory experience that is both light and deeply satisfying.

Using 鲜美 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as an adjective. It most frequently functions as a predicate following a degree adverb like '很' (very), '非常' (extremely), or '太...了' (too/so...).

Structure 1: Subject + Adverb + 鲜美: This is the most common way to describe a dish's flavor. For example: '海鲜的味道很鲜美' (The seafood tastes fresh and delicious).
Structure 2: 鲜美的 + Noun: Use this to describe the quality of an ingredient or dish directly. For example: '鲜美的肉质' (fresh and delicious meat texture) or '鲜美的汤汁' (deliciously fresh broth).

厨师用最简单的调料，保留了螃蟹最鲜美的味道。
(The chef used the simplest seasonings to preserve the crab's most fresh and delicious flavor.)

It is important to note that 鲜美 usually describes the *result* of the food's quality. If you want to say something is just 'not spoiled,' you would use '新鲜' (xīnxiān). 鲜美 implies that the freshness has resulted in a superior taste.

清晨的海鲜市场上，到处都是肉质鲜美的大虾。
(In the early morning seafood market, there are fresh and delicious prawns everywhere with succulent meat.)

When used in literature, it can describe the 'freshness' of air or grass, but this is less common in daily speech. Stick to food contexts to sound most natural as an A2-B1 learner.

You will encounter 鲜美 in several specific real-world scenarios in China. Understanding these contexts will help you use the word like a native speaker.

1. At a Seafood Restaurant: This is the primary habitat of the word. Customers will use it to praise the catch of the day. You might hear: '这鱼真鲜美!' (This fish is truly fresh and delicious!).
2. On Cooking Shows and Vlogs: Chinese food influencers and chefs constantly use 鲜美 to describe the aroma and taste of a well-made broth or a stir-fry involving seasonal vegetables like bamboo shoots.
3. Family Dinner Tables: When a grandmother makes a slow-cooked chicken soup, she might ask, '汤鲜美吗?' (Is the soup fresh and tasty?). It is a warm, domestic term of appreciation.

广告里说，这种酱油能让菜肴的味道更鲜美。
(The advertisement says this soy sauce can make the dishes taste more fresh and savory.)

In commercial contexts, especially for condiments like oyster sauce or MSG (which in Chinese is '味精' or 'essence of taste'), 鲜美 is the key marketing term. It promises to unlock the 'hidden' flavors of the ingredients.

南方的春天，竹笋最是鲜美的时候。
(In the spring of the South, it is the time when bamboo shoots are at their most fresh and delicious.)

While 鲜美 is a positive word, learners often misuse it by applying it to the wrong types of food or confusing it with similar terms.

Mistake 1: Confusing 鲜美 with 新鲜 (xīnxiān): 新鲜 means 'fresh' in terms of time (not rotten, recently picked). 鲜美 means 'deliciously fresh' in terms of taste. You can have an apple that is 新鲜, but you wouldn't usually call it 鲜美 (use 甜 or 脆 instead).
Mistake 2: Using it for 'Heavy' Flavors: If a dish is very spicy (辣), salty (咸), or greasy (油腻), do not use 鲜美. It is reserved for 'light' and 'natural' savory flavors.

Incorrect: 这个巧克力蛋糕很鲜美。
(This chocolate cake is 'fresh-savory' - logically incorrect in Chinese.)

Another subtle mistake is using it for people or appearances. While '美' means beautiful, 鲜美 is almost exclusively for food. If you want to say someone looks fresh and beautiful, use '清新' (qīngxīn) or '鲜艳' (xiānyàn) for colors.

Correct: 这里的空气很新鲜，但是这里的鸡汤很鲜美。
(The air here is fresh [xīnxiān], but the chicken soup here is deliciously fresh [xiānměi].)

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 鲜美 with other words that describe deliciousness or freshness.

鲜美 vs. 好吃 (hǎochī): 好吃 is the generic term for 'tasty.' 鲜美 is a specific subtype of 'tasty'—the kind that comes from freshness and savory richness. All 鲜美 food is 好吃, but not all 好吃 food is 鲜美.
鲜美 vs. 美味 (měiwèi): 美味 is more formal and general than 鲜美. It can be used for any gourmet meal. 鲜美 is more descriptive of the specific flavor profile (fresh/umami).
鲜美 vs. 鲜嫩 (xiānnèn): 鲜嫩 describes food that is both fresh and tender (like a young steak or soft tofu). While 鲜美 focuses on taste, 鲜嫩 focuses on the combination of taste and texture.

比起重口味的川菜，我更喜欢这种味道鲜美的清蒸鱼。
(Compared to heavy-flavored Sichuan cuisine, I prefer this deliciously fresh steamed fish.)

In summary, choose 鲜美 when you want to highlight the natural, savory essence of high-quality ingredients. Use its alternatives when the flavor profile is different (e.g., sweet, spicy) or when you want to be more general.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character '鲜' is one of the few Chinese characters that explicitly combines two different animals to describe a single sensory experience—taste!

Guide de prononciation

UK /ʃjɛn meɪ/

US /ʃjɛn meɪ/

Equal stress on both syllables, following Mandarin tone patterns (1st tone, 3rd tone).

Rime avec

天 (tiān) 边 (biān) 间 (jiān) 水 (shuǐ - near rhyme with měi) 嘴 (zuǐ - near rhyme with měi) 年 (nián) 田 (tián) 圆 (yuán)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'xiān' like 'zee-an'. It should be a soft 'sh' sound followed by 'yen'.
Failing to dip the tone on 'měi' (3rd tone).
Confusing 'xiān' with 'xīn' (as in xīnxiān).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The characters are relatively simple but '鲜' has several components to remember.

Écriture 3/5

Writing '鲜' and '美' requires attention to stroke order, particularly the 'fish' and 'sheep' components.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the 'sh-yen' sound is mastered.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive sound, though sometimes confused with '新鲜'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

新鲜 (xīnxiān) 好吃 (hǎochī) 味道 (wèidào) 鱼 (yú) 汤 (tāng)

Apprends ensuite

美味 (měiwèi) 鲜嫩 (xiānnèn) 清淡 (qīngdàn) 油腻 (yóunì) 调料 (tiáoliào)

Avancé

脍炙人口 (kuàizhìrénkǒu) 珍馐 (zhēnxiū) 回味 (huíwèi) 提鲜 (tíxiān)

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective as Predicate

鱼汤[Subject] 很[Adverb] 鲜美[Predicate].

Attributive '的'

鲜美[Adjective] 的[Particle] 味道[Noun].

Degree Adverbs

极其鲜美, 非常鲜美, 挺鲜美的.

Complement of State

这道菜做[Verb] 得[Particle] 很鲜美[Complement].

Comparative with 更

这碗汤比那碗[Comparison] 更[Adverb] 鲜美[Adjective].

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Exemples par niveau

这个鱼很鲜美。

This fish is very fresh and delicious.

Simple Subject + Adverb + Adjective structure.

汤的味道鲜美吗？

Does the soup taste fresh and delicious?

Question form using '吗'.

妈妈做的菜很鲜美。

The dishes Mom makes are fresh and delicious.

Possessive '的' used with the subject.

海鲜非常鲜美。

The seafood is extremely fresh and delicious.

Using '非常' to enhance the adjective.

我不喜欢太咸的，我喜欢鲜美的。

I don't like things too salty; I like things that are fresh and savory.

Contrast between two adjectives.

这里的蘑菇很鲜美。

The mushrooms here are very fresh and tasty.

Location '这里的' as part of the subject.

这碗面条的味道很鲜美。

The taste of this bowl of noodles is very fresh and delicious.

Focusing on '味道' (taste).

那个菜又好看又鲜美。

That dish is both good-looking and delicious.

Using '又...又...' for two qualities.

这只大虾的肉质非常鲜美。

The meat of this big shrimp is very fresh and delicious.

Using '肉质' (meat quality) as the subject.

这种汤是用鲜美的鸡肉煮的。

This soup is made with fresh and delicious chicken.

Using '鲜美的' as an attributive adjective.

这种酱油能让菜更鲜美。

This soy sauce can make the food more fresh and savory.

Using '让' (to make/let) and '更' (more).

新鲜的蔬菜味道最鲜美。

Fresh vegetables have the most delicious taste.

Superlative '最' used with the adjective.

我们去海边吃鲜美的螃蟹吧。

Let's go to the seaside to eat fresh and delicious crabs.

Suggestion using '吧'.

这种蘑菇汤味道极其鲜美。

This mushroom soup has an extremely fresh and savory taste.

Using '极其' (extremely) for emphasis.

由于食材新鲜，味道自然鲜美。

Because the ingredients are fresh, the taste is naturally delicious.

Cause and effect using '由于'.

你觉得这道菜的味道鲜美吗？

Do you think the taste of this dish is fresh and delicious?

Asking for an opinion with '你觉得'.

清蒸是保留鱼肉鲜美味道的最好方法。

Steaming is the best way to preserve the fresh and delicious flavor of fish meat.

Complex subject with a gerund-like phrase.

虽然这道菜看起来简单，但味道却异常鲜美。

Although this dish looks simple, the taste is unusually fresh and delicious.

Concession using '虽然...但...却...'.

厨师选用了当地最鲜美的食材。

The chef selected the most fresh and delicious ingredients from the local area.

Verb '选用' followed by a complex object.

这碗汤鲜美得让人停不下来。

This soup is so fresh and delicious that one cannot stop eating it.

Resultative complement using '得'.

海边的居民经常能吃到鲜美的海产。

Residents by the sea can often eat fresh and delicious seafood.

Adverb '经常' and potential '能'.

这种独特的调料为菜肴增添了鲜美的风味。

This unique seasoning added a fresh and savory flavor to the dish.

Verb '增添' (to add/increase).

这些刚从地里挖出来的竹笋非常鲜美。

These bamboo shoots just dug out from the ground are very fresh and delicious.

Relative clause describing the bamboo shoots.

这种鱼汤不仅营养丰富，而且味道鲜美。

This fish soup is not only rich in nutrition but also fresh and delicious in taste.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...而且...'.

这种野生菌类的鲜美程度是人工养殖无法比拟的。

The degree of fresh-deliciousness of this wild mushroom is incomparable to artificially cultivated ones.

Using '程度' (degree) and '无法比拟' (incomparable).

唯有最纯净的海水，才能孕育出如此鲜美的生蚝。

Only the purest seawater can nurture such fresh and delicious oysters.

Condition '唯有...才能...'.

他在烹饪中追求极致的鲜美，从不使用过多的香料。

He pursues ultimate fresh-savory taste in cooking, never using too many spices.

Abstract noun usage of '鲜美'.

这道开胃菜以其鲜美的口感迅速赢得了食客的好评。

This appetizer quickly won the praise of diners with its fresh and delicious texture/taste.

Using '以其' (with its) to state the reason.

虽然是素食，但那种鲜美的味道却胜过许多肉类。

Even though it is vegetarian, that fresh savory taste surpasses many meats.

Comparison using '胜过' (to surpass).

为了保持食材的鲜美，运输过程必须全程冷链。

To maintain the fresh-deliciousness of the ingredients, the transportation process must use a full cold chain.

Purpose clause starting with '为了'.

这种古法的腌制方式，锁住了肉质最鲜美的瞬间。

This ancient pickling method locks in the most fresh and delicious moment of the meat.

Metaphorical use of '锁住' (to lock).

汤底经过十二小时的慢火细炖，味道极其鲜美浓郁。

The soup base, after twelve hours of slow simmering, is extremely fresh, savory, and rich.

Passive-like structure with '经过'.

那片草地芳草鲜美，落英缤纷，宛如世外桃源。

That meadow had fresh and beautiful grass, with fallen petals in profusion, just like a hidden paradise.

Literary usage quoting 'Peach Blossom Spring'.

此鱼产于深海，其肉质之鲜美，非言语所能形容。

This fish is from the deep sea; the deliciousness of its meat is beyond words.

Classical Chinese influence ('之', '非...所能').

文人墨客常将这种鲜美的时令蔬菜写入诗篇。

Literati and poets often wrote about these fresh and delicious seasonal vegetables in their poems.

Use of '将' as a formal '把' construction.

这种茶汤色泽清亮，入口鲜美，回味悠长。

This tea has a clear color, a fresh and delicious taste upon entry, and a long-lasting aftertaste.

Describing the sensory experience of tea.

他笔下的散文，文字鲜美，读来如沐春风。

The prose from his pen is fresh and beautiful, feeling like a spring breeze when read.

Metaphorical use describing writing style.

这种饮食文化强调对自然鲜美的敬畏与追求。

This food culture emphasizes the awe and pursuit of natural fresh-savory taste.

Abstract philosophical usage.

在那个物资匮乏的年代，一碗鲜美的热汤便是最大的奢侈。

In that era of material scarcity, a bowl of fresh, delicious hot soup was the greatest luxury.

Contrastive historical context.

由于环境污染，那种纯粹的鲜美正逐渐从我们的餐桌上消失。

Due to environmental pollution, that pure fresh-deliciousness is gradually disappearing from our tables.

Societal observation using '逐渐'.

其味鲜美，不仅在于食材之精良，更在于火候之精妙。

The freshness of its taste lies not only in the excellence of the ingredients but even more in the subtlety of the heat control.

Highly formal parallel structure ('在于...更在于').

这种菌子饱吸了山野间的灵气，呈现出一种超脱尘世的鲜美。

This mushroom has absorbed the spiritual energy of the mountains, presenting a fresh-deliciousness that transcends the world.

Poetic, almost mystical description.

厨师试图通过现代技术还原那种被工业化抹杀的原始鲜美。

The chef attempts to use modern technology to restore that primitive fresh-savory taste obliterated by industrialization.

Critical analysis of modern food production.

在舌尖触碰汤汁的一瞬，那种磅礴的鲜美仿佛将人带回了大海。

The moment the tongue touches the broth, that majestic fresh-deliciousness seems to take one back to the ocean.

Synesthetic description.

这种鲜美并非流于表面，而是有着深厚的层次感。

This fresh-deliciousness is not superficial but possesses a profound sense of layering.

Logical negation '并非...而是...'.

他的画作色彩鲜美，充满了蓬勃的生命力。

The colors in his paintings are fresh and beautiful, full of vigorous vitality.

Metaphorical use for visual arts.

即便是在最简朴的食材中，也能通过匠心独运发掘出惊人的鲜美。

Even in the simplest ingredients, startling fresh-savory taste can be discovered through unique ingenuity.

Concessive '即便...也...'.

这种鲜美与其说是味觉的享受，不如说是心灵的慰藉。

This fresh-deliciousness is not so much a sensory enjoyment as it is a solace for the soul.

Comparative '与其说...不如说...'.

Collocations courantes

味道鲜美

肉质鲜美

鲜美可口

鲜美的汤

极其鲜美

保持鲜美

口感鲜美

色香味鲜美

山珍海味之鲜美

鲜美多汁

Phrases Courantes

鲜美无比

— Incomparably delicious and fresh. Used for extreme praise.

这碗蟹肉粥真是鲜美无比。

汁水鲜美

— The juice/broth is fresh and tasty. Often used for dumplings or steaks.

小笼包的汁水鲜美。

鲜美诱人

— Fresh, delicious, and tempting. Used to describe food appearance and smell.

桌上的海鲜大餐鲜美诱人。

时鲜美味

— Seasonal fresh delicacies. Refers to food at its peak season.

春天有很多时鲜美味。

纯正鲜美

— Pure and fresh-tasting. Implies no artificial additives.

这种牛奶味道纯正鲜美。

鲜美之极

— The ultimate in fresh-deliciousness. A formal way to say 'extremely'.

此汤鲜美之极。

肉厚鲜美

— Thick meat that is fresh and delicious. Used for fish or steak.

这种扇贝肉厚鲜美。

清淡鲜美

— Light yet fresh and savory. High praise in Southern Chinese cooking.

这道素菜清淡鲜美。

原味鲜美

— Deliciously fresh in its original flavor. No heavy sauce.

清蒸鱼讲究的是原味鲜美。

鲜美绝伦

— Peerless fresh-deliciousness. Highly literary.

这道名菜的味道鲜美绝伦。

Souvent confondu avec

鲜美 vs 新鲜 (xīnxiān)

新鲜 means 'fresh' (time-wise/not spoiled). 鲜美 means 'fresh and delicious' (taste-wise). You can't say an old soup is 鲜美, but you can say a fresh apple is 新鲜 but not 鲜美 (because apples are usually 甜 sweet, not savory).

鲜美 vs 美味 (měiwèi)

美味 is a general word for 'delicious'. 鲜美 is a specific kind of deliciousness (savory/umami). Chocolate is 美味, but it is not 鲜美.

鲜美 vs 鲜艳 (xiānyàn)

鲜艳 is for bright colors. People sometimes confuse the '鲜' part. Never use 鲜艳 for taste.

Expressions idiomatiques

"芳草鲜美"

— Describes lush, fresh, and beautiful grass. Famous from 'Peach Blossom Spring'.

缘溪行，忘路之远近。忽逢桃花林...芳草鲜美。

Literary

"脍炙人口"

— Originally referring to delicious meat, now means popular and widely praised (like a poem).

他的诗作脍炙人口。

Formal

"珍馐美馔"

— Delicacies and fine food. Implies something extremely 鲜美.

桌上摆满了珍馐美馔。

Formal

"垂涎三尺"

— To drool three feet. Describes someone wanting to eat something 鲜美.

看着那盘鲜美的烤鸭，他垂涎三尺。

Informal/Idiomatic

"食指大动"

— The index finger moves. Means one is about to enjoy a 鲜美 meal.

闻到鱼汤的香味，我不禁食指大动。

Literary

"回味无穷"

— Leaving a lasting, pleasant aftertaste. Common after eating something 鲜美.

这道汤的味道让人回味无穷。

Neutral

"齿颊留香"

— Fragrance/flavor remaining between teeth and cheeks. Describes a 鲜美 taste.

好茶入口，齿颊留香。

Literary

"山珍海味"

— Delicacies from the mountains and the sea. The epitome of 鲜美.

他请客吃了一顿山珍海味。

Neutral

"津津有味"

— With great relish. Eating something 鲜美 with enjoyment.

他津津有味地喝着鲜美的鸡汤。

Neutral

"玉盘珍馐"

— Rare delicacies on jade plates. Extremely 鲜美 and expensive food.

金樽清酒斗十千，玉盘珍馐直万钱。

Literary (Poetry)

Facile à confondre

鲜美 vs 新鲜

Both share the character '鲜' and relate to freshness.

新鲜 is about the state of being recently produced/not rotten. 鲜美 is about the resulting delicious flavor.

新鲜的鱼煮出来的汤才鲜美。

鲜美 vs 美味

Both mean delicious.

美味 is broad. 鲜美 is specific to savory/umami/seafood/soup flavors.

这蛋糕很美味 (Not 鲜美).

鲜美 vs 鲜嫩

Both describe high-quality food.

鲜嫩 emphasizes 'tender' texture + freshness. 鲜美 emphasizes 'savory' taste + freshness.

这肉又鲜嫩又鲜美。

鲜美 vs 可口

Both mean tasty.

可口 is more about being pleasant and easy to eat. 鲜美 is a stronger praise for natural essence.

家常小菜很可口。

鲜美 vs 清淡

鲜美 food is often 清淡.

清淡 means 'light/not oily/not salty'. 鲜美 describes the presence of a good savory flavor.

这汤虽然清淡，但很鲜美。

Structures de phrases

S + 很鲜美

这个鱼很鲜美。

S + 的味道 + 很鲜美

这碗汤的味道很鲜美。

鲜美的 + N

我喜欢吃鲜美的海鲜。

V + 得 + 很鲜美

这道菜做得很鲜美。

极其/异常 + 鲜美

那里的蘑菇味道异常鲜美。

既...又鲜美

这些蔬菜既营养又鲜美。

以...之鲜美

此鱼以其肉质之鲜美闻名。

追求/呈现...鲜美

厨师追求极致的鲜美。

Famille de mots

Noms

鲜味 (xiānwèi - umami/fresh taste)

鲜度 (xiāndù - degree of freshness)

美感 (měigǎn - sense of beauty)

Verbes

提鲜 (tíxiān - to enhance the fresh savory flavor)

保鲜 (bǎoxiān - to keep fresh)

美化 (měihuà - to beautify)

Adjectifs

新鲜 (xīnxiān - fresh)

鲜嫩 (xiānnèn - fresh and tender)

美丽 (měilì - beautiful)

Apparenté

海鲜 (hǎixiān - seafood)

味精 (wèijīng - MSG/flavor essence)

汤底 (tāngdǐ - soup base)

食材 (shícái - ingredients)

原汁原味 (yuánzhī yuánwèi - original juice and flavor)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in the context of dining and food description.

Erreurs courantes

Using 鲜美 for a fresh apple. → 新鲜的苹果 (xīnxiān de píngguǒ).
Apples aren't 'savory,' so 鲜美 doesn't fit the taste profile.
Saying '他的衣服很鲜美' (His clothes are fresh-delicious). → 他的衣服很鲜艳 (xiānyàn - bright).
鲜美 is for taste, not visual brightness of clothing.
Using 鲜美 for fried chicken. → 好吃的炸鸡 (hǎochī de zhàjī).
Fried chicken is usually described as '香' (fragrant/savory) or '脆' (crispy), but rarely '鲜美' because it's greasy.
Confusing 鲜美 with 鲜明 (xiānmíng). → 鲜明的对比 (xiānmíng de duìbǐ - sharp contrast).
鲜明 means clear or distinct, totally different from 鲜美.
Using 鲜美 to describe a 'fresh' person. → 清新 (qīngxīn).
鲜美 is strictly culinary. Calling a person 鲜美 sounds like you want to eat them!

Astuces

Use for Seafood

Always use 鲜美 when praising fish, shrimp, or crab. It's the most natural context.

Pair with 味道

Saying '味道很鲜美' (The taste is fresh-delicious) is the most common sentence pattern.

Compliment the Chef

Tell a Chinese host '汤很鲜美' to show you appreciate the effort put into a healthy broth.

Distinguish from 新鲜

Remember: 新鲜 = not old; 鲜美 = tastes great because it's fresh.

No Sweets

Don't use it for cakes, cookies, or candy. It sounds very odd to Chinese ears.

Literary Flair

Use '芳草鲜美' to describe a beautiful, lush green field in a story.

Exclamation

Add '极了' (jí le) to the end: '鲜美极了!' for extra emphasis.

Read Labels

Look for 鲜美 on soy sauce or oyster sauce bottles to see how it's marketed.

Contrast with Heavy Food

Use it to explain why you prefer light food: '我喜欢鲜美的，不喜欢油腻的。'

Mushroom Magic

Mushrooms are a classic '鲜美' food. Use the word when eating mushroom hotpot.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a **FISH** and a **SHEEP** (鲜) having a **BEAUTIFUL** (美) party on your tongue. That's 鲜美!

Association visuelle

Imagine a steaming bowl of fish soup with a single green leaf on top. The steam carries the 'Xian' aroma.

Word Web

Seafood Soup Umami Fresh Natural Mushroom Steamed Savory

Défi

Go to a Chinese restaurant and try to use '味道很鲜美' to compliment a seafood dish or a soup.

Origine du mot

The character '鲜' (xiān) is an ancient ideogram. In its early form, it consisted of '鱼' (fish) and '羊' (sheep). These were considered the two most delicious and fresh meats in ancient northern and southern China. The character '美' (měi) depicts a 'big sheep' (大羊), which symbolized goodness, beauty, and satiety. Together, '鲜美' literally means the goodness of fresh fish and mutton.

Sens originel : The delicious and fresh taste of high-quality meats.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexte culturel

There are no major sensitivities, but be aware that '鲜' can also mean 'raw' in some contexts (like 鲜血 - fresh blood), so keep it focused on food.

In English, we often just say 'delicious' or 'tasty,' but '鲜美' is closer to saying 'it has a wonderful natural savory flavor.' It is often translated as 'fresh and tasty,' but that doesn't quite capture the 'umami' aspect.

The classic essay 'Peach Blossom Spring' (桃花源记) by Tao Yuanming uses '芳草鲜美'. The documentary series 'A Bite of China' (舌尖上的中国) uses this word in almost every episode. Ancient poems often use '鲜' to describe the bounty of the spring season.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a restaurant

这鱼很鲜美。
有什么鲜美的汤吗？
味道真鲜美！
这道菜很鲜美。

Cooking at home

加点盐能提鲜。
鸡汤炖得很鲜美。
食材越新鲜越鲜美。
这个味道很鲜美。

Shopping at a market

这些虾看起来很鲜美。
螃蟹肉质鲜美吗？
我想买点鲜美的鱼。
这蘑菇一定很鲜美。

Watching a cooking show

色香味俱全，鲜美诱人。
锁住食材的鲜美。
鲜美无比的口感。
汤底鲜美浓郁。

Reading literature

芳草鲜美。
文字鲜美。
山珍海味之鲜美。
回味悠长且鲜美。

Amorces de conversation

"你觉得这家餐厅的鱼汤鲜美吗？ (Do you think the fish soup at this restaurant is fresh and delicious?)"

"你最喜欢的鲜美食物是什么？ (What is your favorite fresh and savory food?)"

"你觉得怎么样才能做出最鲜美的鸡汤？ (How do you think one can make the freshest and most delicious chicken soup?)"

"南方的菜是不是比北方的菜更鲜美？ (Are Southern dishes fresher and more savory than Northern ones?)"

"你喜欢清淡鲜美的菜，还是重口味的菜？ (Do you like light and fresh dishes, or heavy-flavored ones?)"

Sujets d'écriture

描述一次你吃过的最鲜美的晚餐。 (Describe the most fresh and delicious dinner you have ever eaten.)

为什么中国人这么追求食材的“鲜美”？ (Why do Chinese people pursue the 'fresh-deliciousness' of ingredients so much?)

对比一下“新鲜”和“鲜美”的区别。 (Compare the difference between 'fresh' and 'fresh-delicious'.)

如果你是一个厨师，你会如何保持菜肴的鲜美？ (If you were a chef, how would you maintain the fresh-deliciousness of your dishes?)

写一段关于春天鲜美蔬菜的文字。 (Write a paragraph about the fresh and delicious vegetables of spring.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. For sweet fruits, use '甜' (tián - sweet) or '鲜甜' (xiāntián - fresh and sweet). 鲜美 is almost exclusively for savory items like seafood and soup.

好吃 is very general, like 'good' or 'tasty.' 鲜美 is like 'deliciously fresh and savory.' It's a more specific and higher-level compliment.

It can be, but usually only if the meat is prepared in a way that highlights its natural juices, like in a clear soup or a very fresh steak. It's more common for fish and chicken.

No. Using it for a person would sound very strange or like you are describing them as food! Use '漂亮' (piàoliang) or '清新' (qīngxīn) instead.

It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, or in a formal restaurant review. It's always a safe and positive word to use.

You would say '这个汤不新鲜' (zhège tāng bù xīnxiān). You rarely say '不鲜美' unless you are specifically critiquing the lack of savory depth.

Yes, '鲜' (xiān) is the Chinese word for the umami taste. 鲜美 is the adjective form to describe food with that quality.

In literature, yes (空气鲜美), but in daily life, '新鲜' (xīnxiān) is much more common for air.

The most direct opposite in a culinary sense is '乏味' (fáwèi - bland/tasteless) or '腥' (xīng - fishy/unpleasant meat smell).

Because in ancient China, fish and mutton were considered the most delicious and fresh meats. Combining them created the ultimate symbol for 'freshness'.

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