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A2 adjective #2,800 le plus courant 4 min de lecture

麻辣

mala
At the A1 level, you just need to know that '麻辣' (málà) is a type of food flavor. It is very common in Chinese restaurants. You can use it to describe dishes like '麻辣火锅' (málà hotpot). Think of it as 'very spicy' with a special tingle. If you don't like spicy food, you should remember this word so you can avoid it! You can say '我不吃麻辣' (I don't eat málà).
At the A2 level, you should understand that '麻辣' is made of two parts: '麻' (numbing) and '辣' (spicy). You can use basic adverbs like '很' (very) or '太' (too) to describe food. You should also be able to recognize it on a menu. For example, '这个麻辣烫多少钱？' (How much is this málàtang?). It's an essential word for daily life in China, especially when ordering street food.
At the B1 level, you can start to discuss the ingredients of '麻辣'—specifically the '花椒' (Sichuan peppercorn) and '辣椒' (chili). You can describe your preferences more clearly, such as asking for '微辣' (mildly spicy) or '重麻' (heavily numbing). You might also notice the word used in titles of movies or TV shows to describe a 'fiery' or 'sharp' personality, though this is still mostly related to food contexts.
At the B2 level, you should understand the cultural significance of '麻辣' in Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine. You can explain why people eat it (to remove dampness) and compare it to other flavors like '香辣' (fragrant spicy) or '甜辣' (sweet spicy). You should be comfortable using it in more complex sentences, such as '麻辣的味道虽然刺激，但让人欲罢不能' (Although the málà flavor is stimulating, it's addictive).
At the C1 level, you can use '麻辣' metaphorically to describe social situations, writing styles, or personalities. A '麻辣点评' (málà review) is a critique that is sharp, stinging, and perhaps brutally honest. You should also be aware of the regional variations in '麻辣'—for instance, how Chongqing málà is often considered 'heavier' and more 'oily' than Chengdu málà.
At the C2 level, you possess a deep appreciation for the '麻辣' aesthetic in Chinese literature and culinary arts. You can discuss the chemical interaction of hydroxy-alpha-sanshool on the tongue and its role in the 'multi-sensory' experience of Chinese dining. You can analyze how the '麻辣' trend has influenced global food logistics and the commercialization of Sichuan flavors worldwide.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

麻辣 en 30 secondes

  • Málà is the signature numbing-spicy flavor of Sichuan cuisine.
  • It combines Sichuan peppercorns (numbing) and chilies (spicy).
  • It is used for food, snacks, and metaphorically for personalities.
  • Commonly found in hotpot, Mapo Tofu, and Málàtang.

The term 麻辣 (málà) is a quintessential adjective in Chinese cuisine, specifically originating from the Sichuan province. It is a compound word consisting of two distinct sensations: 麻 (má), meaning 'numbing' or 'tingling,' and 辣 (là), meaning 'spicy' or 'hot.' Together, they describe a unique flavor profile that is both physically vibrating and thermally intense.

The 'Má' Component
Caused by Sichuan peppercorns (花椒), which contain hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. This chemical interacts with nerve receptors to create a buzzing sensation on the tongue, similar to a mild electric current or the feeling of a limb 'falling asleep.'
The 'Là' Component
Caused by dried chili peppers, providing the capsaicin heat that most people associate with 'spiciness.'
The Synergy
In Sichuan cooking, these two are never far apart. The numbing effect of the peppercorns is said to slightly dull the pain of the chili, allowing diners to consume more spice without being overwhelmed.

"这个火锅的味道非常麻辣，你一定要配点冰可乐。" (This hotpot is very numbing and spicy; you definitely need some ice-cold cola with it.)

Historically, this flavor profile was developed to combat the humid, damp climate of the Sichuan basin. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests that spicy foods help expel 'dampness' (湿气) from the body. Today, it has become a global phenomenon, found in everything from instant noodles to gourmet fusion dishes.

Key Characteristics of Málà:

  • Red color from chili oil.
  • Aromatic fragrance from toasted peppercorns.
  • Lingering aftertaste that 'dances' on the tongue.

Using 麻辣 is straightforward as it primarily functions as an adjective. However, its placement and intensity can be modified to express different degrees of flavor.

As a Direct Adjective
Placed before a noun: 麻辣豆腐 (Málà Tofu), 麻辣火锅 (Málà Hotpot).
With Degree Adverbs
Use '很' (very), '太' (too), or '特别' (especially) to modify it: '这个菜太麻辣了！'
Specifying the Balance
If a dish is more numbing than spicy, you might say '麻大于辣' (The numbness exceeds the spice).

我不能吃太麻辣的东西，我的胃受不了。

Example: I can't eat things that are too numbing and spicy; my stomach can't take it.

When ordering food in China, you can often customize the level of málà. Common options include:

  • 微麻微辣 (Wēi má wēi là): Slightly numbing, slightly spicy.
  • 中麻中辣 (Zhōng má zhōng là): Medium numbing, medium spicy.
  • 特麻特辣 (Tè má tè là): Extra numbing, extra spicy.

You will encounter 麻辣 most frequently in culinary contexts, but its reach extends into media and daily conversation.

In Restaurants
Waiters will ask: '你要麻辣底料吗？' (Do you want the málà soup base?)
In Supermarkets
Packaging for snacks like '麻辣花生' (Málà peanuts) or '麻辣烫' (Málàtang) instant kits.
In Pop Culture
TV show titles like '麻辣隔壁' or '麻辣婆媳' use the term to imply dramatic, intense, or fiery relationships.

老板，来一份麻辣香锅，多放点花椒！

Context: Ordering at a street stall.

The term is also a staple in travel vlogs and food reviews. Influencers often describe the 'authentic' (正宗) málà taste of Chengdu or Chongqing. If you hear someone say '麻得我舌头都木了' (It's so numbing my tongue is wooden), they are describing the 'má' part of málà.

While simple, learners often confuse 麻辣 with other types of heat or use it in the wrong context.

Mistaking '麻' for '辣'
Many beginners think '麻' just means 'very spicy.' It doesn't. It refers specifically to the tingling sensation. If a dish is just hot (like Thai food), it is '辣' but not '麻辣'.
Overusing it for non-food items
While you can use it for personalities, don't use it to describe a 'hot' (attractive) person. For that, use '辣' (spicy/hot) or '性感' (sexy).
Grammar: Omitting '的'
When modifying a noun directly, '麻辣' often acts as a compound noun/adjective. '麻辣豆腐' is correct. '麻辣的豆腐' is also correct but less common for established dish names.

Understanding the nuances between different types of 'spicy' in Chinese will elevate your vocabulary.

香辣 (Xiānglà)
Fragrant and spicy. Focuses on the aroma of fried chilies and garlic without the numbing effect.
酸辣 (Suānlà)
Sour and spicy. Common in hot and sour soup (酸辣汤).
鲜辣 (Xiānlà)
Fresh and spicy. Often used for seafood where the spice enhances the freshness.
干辣 (Gānlà)
Dry spicy. A 'pure' heat without much oil or complexity.

我不喜欢麻辣，我更喜欢酸辣的味道。

Contrast: I don't like numbing-spicy; I prefer the sour-spicy flavor.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Informel

""

Argot

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

我不喜欢麻辣。

I don't like numbing-spicy.

Subject + 不喜欢 + Noun/Adjective.

2

麻辣火锅很好吃。

Málà hotpot is very delicious.

Noun + 很 + Adjective.

3

这是麻辣的吗？

Is this numbing-spicy?

Using '的' to turn an adjective into a property.

4

太麻辣了！

Too numbing and spicy!

太...了 construction for emphasis.

5

我爱吃麻辣烫。

I love eating málàtang.

Subject + 爱吃 + Food name.

6

那个菜不麻辣。

That dish is not numbing-spicy.

Negation with '不'.

7

你要麻辣吗？

Do you want it numbing-spicy?

Simple question with '吗'.

8

麻辣花生很香。

Málà peanuts are very fragrant.

Adjective + Noun.

1

四川菜以麻辣闻名。

Sichuan food is famous for being numbing and spicy.

以...闻名 (famous for...).

2

这个麻辣豆腐有点咸。

This málà tofu is a bit salty.

有点 + Adjective (slightly/a bit).

3

请给我微小的麻辣。

Please give me a little bit of málà.

Requesting specific levels.

4

我舌头麻辣得没感觉了。

My tongue is so málà that I have no feeling.

V + 得 + Resultative complement.

5

你怕不怕麻辣？

Are you afraid of málà (spice)?

Verb-not-verb question pattern.

6

这种麻辣酱很方便。

This kind of málà sauce is very convenient.

Demonstrative + Measure word + Noun.

7

麻辣的味道很特别。

The taste of málà is very special.

Possessive '的'.

8

超市里有麻辣味的小吃。

There are málà flavored snacks in the supermarket.

Location + 有 + Object.

1

这种麻辣感来自于花椒。

This numbing sensation comes from Sichuan peppercorns.

来自于 (comes from).

2

虽然很麻辣，但我还想吃。

Although it's very málà, I still want to eat it.

虽然...但是... (Although... but...).

3

这种麻辣火锅底料很正宗。

This málà hotpot base is very authentic.

正宗 (authentic) as a predicate.

4

他是个麻辣性格的人。

He has a 'spicy' (bold/sharp) personality.

Metaphorical use of food terms.

5

如果你不能吃辣，就别点麻辣鱼。

If you can't eat spicy, don't order the málà fish.

如果...就... (If... then...).

6

麻辣香锅可以自己选菜。

You can choose your own ingredients for málà xiāngguō.

可以 (can/may) for permission/possibility.

7

这道菜的麻辣程度可以调整。

The málà level of this dish can be adjusted.

程度 (degree/level).

8

他被麻辣得直流眼泪。

He was so málà-ed that tears kept flowing.

被 (passive) + V + 得 + complement.

1

麻辣不仅是一种味道，更是一种文化。

Málà is not only a flavor, but also a culture.

不仅...更... (Not only... but even...).

2

为了驱除体内的湿气，四川人喜欢吃麻辣。

To expel dampness from the body, Sichuan people like to eat málà.

为了 (In order to) for purpose.

3

这种麻辣的后劲非常足。

The aftertaste/lingering heat of this málà is very strong.

后劲 (after-effect/stamina).

4

他那麻辣的点评让选手们很尴尬。

His sharp/stinging comments made the contestants embarrassed.

Metaphorical use for criticism.

5

这种麻辣小龙虾在夏天非常受欢迎。

These málà crawfish are very popular in the summer.

受...欢迎 (to be welcomed/popular).

6

厨师精妙地平衡了麻辣与鲜甜。

The chef exquisitely balanced the málà with freshness and sweetness.

平衡 (to balance) as a verb.

7

麻辣烫的精髓在于那一锅老汤。

The essence of málàtang lies in that pot of aged broth.

在于 (lies in/consists of).

8

这种调料完美地结合了麻辣和蒜香。

This seasoning perfectly combines málà and garlic aroma.

结合 (combine/unite).

1

这种麻辣的快感让人产生内啡肽。

This málà pleasure causes the body to produce endorphins.

产生 (produce/generate) abstract nouns.

2

她的文字风格麻辣犀利，直指社会痛点。

Her writing style is spicy and sharp, pointing directly at social pain points.

Parallel adjectives (麻辣犀利).

3

重庆火锅的麻辣程度往往令外地人望而生畏。

The málà level of Chongqing hotpot often makes outsiders daunted.

望而生畏 (idiom: to be daunted by the sight of).

4

麻辣作为一种味觉符号，已经走向了世界。

As a gustatory symbol, málà has already gone global.

作为 (As/in the capacity of).

5

这篇影评对导演的批评可谓是麻辣至极。

The criticism of the director in this film review can be said to be extremely stinging.

...至极 (extremely...).

6

这种麻辣感在舌尖跳动，仿佛一场交响乐。

This málà sensation dances on the tip of the tongue, like a symphony.

Simile using 仿佛 (as if).

7

他试图在传统鲁菜中融入麻辣元素。

He tried to integrate málà elements into traditional Shandong cuisine.

融入 (integrate/merge into).

8

麻辣带来的不仅是痛觉，更是一种深层的心理慰藉。

What málà brings is not just pain, but a deep psychological comfort.

带来的 (what is brought) as a subject clause.

1

麻辣之于川人，犹若咖啡之于西人，是不可或缺的生命底色。

Málà is to Sichuanese as coffee is to Westerners—an indispensable background color of life.

A 之于 B, 犹若 C 之于 D (A is to B like C is to D).

2

其麻辣之味，厚重而不失层次，辛烈而兼具醇香。

Its málà flavor is heavy yet nuanced, fierce yet mellow and fragrant.

Literary structure using 而 (but/and).

3

这种麻辣的感官冲击，实则是对平庸生活的一种审美反叛。

This málà sensory impact is, in fact, an aesthetic rebellion against a mediocre life.

实则是 (is actually/in reality).

4

在麻辣的掩盖下，食材的本味往往被重塑而非消解。

Under the cover of málà, the original flavor of the ingredients is often reshaped rather than dissolved.

而非 (rather than).

5

他那麻辣的笔触，将官场丑态刻画得入木三分。

With his stinging brushstrokes, he portrayed the ugly state of officialdom with profound insight.

入木三分 (idiom: profound/penetrating).

6

麻辣的流行，折射出当代社会对高强度刺激的普遍渴求。

The popularity of málà reflects the general craving for high-intensity stimulation in contemporary society.

折射出 (reflects/mirrors).

7

这种麻辣火锅的配方，乃是家族数代人传承的绝密。

The recipe for this málà hotpot is a top secret passed down through several generations of the family.

乃是 (is - formal/literary).

8

即便是在极度寒冷的北方，麻辣也能瞬间点燃食客的热情。

Even in the extremely cold North, málà can instantly ignite the passion of diners.

即便...也... (Even if... still...).

Collocations courantes

麻辣火锅
麻辣烫
麻辣香锅
麻辣豆腐
麻辣小龙虾
味道麻辣
麻辣底料
麻辣诱惑
麻辣教师
麻辣点评

Phrases Courantes

又麻又辣

微麻微辣

特辣特麻

麻辣鲜香

麻辣十足

麻辣快感

麻辣地道

麻辣过瘾

麻辣适中

麻辣口感

Souvent confondu avec

麻辣 vs 辣 (là)

Pure heat without the numbing sensation.

麻辣 vs 麻 (má)

Just numbing (like a numb foot), not necessarily spicy.

麻辣 vs 香辣 (xiānglà)

Fragrant spicy, usually without the Sichuan peppercorn tingle.

Expressions idiomatiques

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Facile à confondre

麻辣 vs

麻辣 vs

麻辣 vs

麻辣 vs

麻辣 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

numbness

The 'má' is often described by foreigners as 'citrusy' or 'electric'.

addiction

Many people describe málà as 'shàngyǐn' (addictive).

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'málà' to mean 'very spicy' in Thai or Mexican food contexts.
  • Saying 'wǒ de jiǎo málà le' when your foot is asleep (should just be 'má').
  • Forgetting that 'má' is a physical sensation, not just a taste.
  • Pronouncing both syllables with the same tone.
  • Thinking all Sichuan food is málà (some is sweet or savory!).

Astuces

Order like a local

Ask for 'zhèngzōng málà' if you want the real, intense experience.

Tone check

Make sure 'là' is a sharp falling tone, like you're dropping something.

Balance the heat

If it's too málà, eat some plain white rice to neutralize the oil.

Sharing is caring

Málà dishes are usually large and meant to be shared with friends.

Expand

Learn 'huājiāo' (peppercorn) and 'làjiāo' (chili) along with málà.

Hydration

Always have a drink ready; the 'má' sensation can be surprising for beginners.

Regionality

Visit Chongqing for the most intense málà experience in the world.

Instant options

Look for 'HaidiLao' brand for good málà hotpot bases in stores.

Personality

Call a feisty friend 'málà' as a playful compliment.

Ancient roots

The 'má' part was used in China long before chilies arrived from America.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Originates from the Sichuan province of China. The combination of local Sichuan peppercorns and imported chili peppers (from the Americas in the 16th century) created this unique regional profile.

Contexte culturel

Used in TCM to combat 'dampness' (shīqì).

Chongqing málà is usually heavier on oil and 'má', while Chengdu málà is more refined and fragrant.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"你喜欢吃麻辣火锅吗？"

"你能吃多辣？"

"你觉得这个菜够麻辣吗？"

"哪里的麻辣烫最好吃？"

"你尝试过正宗的四川麻辣吗？"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe the first time you tried málà food.

Why do you think spicy food is so popular worldwide?

Write a review for a fictional málà restaurant.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is the numbing sensation caused by Sichuan peppercorns.

No, it's a combination of numbing and spicy.

You can say 'bú yào tài là' or 'wēi là'.

Yes, to describe someone with a bold or sharp personality.

In moderation, it's believed to help with circulation and dampness.

Probably Málà Hotpot or Mapo Tofu.

The flavor itself doesn't, but many dishes (like málà peanuts) do.

That is the 'má' effect of the Sichuan peppercorns!

It originated there but is now popular all over China and the world.

Milk, soy milk, or cold herbal tea are best to soothe the heat.

Teste-toi 180 questions

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Perfect score!

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