“尝起来” describes the perceived taste of something after you have tasted it.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes the taste of food or drink.
- Used after tasting something.
- Common in daily food conversations.
Overview
“尝起来”是一个非常常用的中文动词短语，用于描述品尝某种食物或饮料后的味道感受。它直接表达了品尝者对味道的主观评价，是日常交流中描述食物的重要词汇。
“尝起来”的基本结构是：[事物] + 尝起来 + [味道描述]。例如，“这个汤尝起来很咸。” 味道描述可以是形容词，如甜、酸、苦、辣、咸、鲜、香、腥、淡、浓等，也可以是更具体的描述，如“像某种东西的味道”。有时也可以省略“起来”，直接说“尝”。但“尝起来”更侧重于描述品尝后的直接感受。
这个词语在日常生活中非常普遍，尤其是在谈论食物、饮料、烹饪、餐厅评价等场景。例如：
描述不熟悉或第一次尝试的食物时，也会用到：“这个水果我没吃过，不知道尝起来什么味道。”
“尝”本身是动词，意思是“品尝”，侧重于“尝试”或“品味”这个动作本身，不一定包含味道的描述。例如，“我想尝尝这个蛋糕。” 这里的“尝”是动作。而“尝起来”则强调动作之后对味道的感知。
“味道”是名词，指食物或饮料的味道。例如，“这个菜的味道很好。” “尝起来”是动词短语，描述味道，而“味道”是名词，指味道本身。
“闻起来”是描述气味，而“尝起来”是描述味道。例如，“这个花闻起来很香。” （气味）“这个果汁尝起来很甜。” （味道）
Examples
这个苹果尝起来很甜。
everydayThis apple tastes very sweet.
厨师说这道菜尝起来味道很特别。
formalThe chef said this dish tastes very unique.
这杯奶茶尝起来有点腻。
informalThis cup of milk tea tastes a bit too rich/greasy.
根据测试，这种新型食品尝起来具有天然的果香味。
academicAccording to the tests, this new type of food tastes like it has a natural fruity aroma.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
尝起来怎么样？
How does it taste?
这个尝起来真不错！
This tastes really good!
尝起来有点奇怪。
It tastes a bit strange.
Often Confused With
This phrase means 'smells like'. It is used to describe the odor of something, not its taste. For example, '这个香水闻起来很香' (This perfume smells very nice).
This phrase means 'looks like' or 'seems like'. It describes the visual appearance or an outward impression, not the taste. For example, '这个蛋糕看起来很美味' (This cake looks delicious).
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This is a very common and versatile phrase used in everyday spoken Chinese. It is generally neutral in terms of formality, suitable for both casual conversations and slightly more formal settings like restaurant reviews. It focuses specifically on the gustatory sensation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '尝起来' (taste) with '闻起来' (smell) or '看起来' (look). Ensure you are using the correct verb for the sense you are describing. Also, remember that '起来' here specifically modifies the verb '尝' to indicate the result of the action.
Tips
Focus on Taste Perception
Remember '尝起来' is about your direct sensory experience of taste after eating or drinking.
Don't Confuse with Smell
Avoid using '尝起来' for describing smell. Use '闻起来' (wén qǐlái) for scents.
Food is Central
Discussing taste is a very common and important part of social interaction in Chinese culture, especially around meals.
Word Origin
The phrase '尝起来' combines '尝' (to taste) with '起来' (an auxiliary verb often indicating the beginning of an action, or a result/perception). Here, '起来' emphasizes the resulting sensation or perception after the act of tasting.
Cultural Context
Food tasting and discussion are integral to Chinese culture. Sharing opinions on how food tastes is a common way to build rapport and show appreciation or critique during meals. Phrases like '尝起来' are fundamental to these social interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Try it, and then tell me how it tastes!' The 'tastes' part is '尝起来'. The '起来' signifies the result or perception after the action.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“尝”是品尝的动作，而“尝起来”强调品尝后的味道感受。例如，“我尝了一口”是动作，“这口尝起来很甜”是感受。
通常跟形容词来描述味道，比如：甜、酸、苦、辣、咸、香、腥、淡、浓等。
可以用于陈述句，表达对味道的评价。例如：“这个面尝起来很不错。”
它本身是中性的，具体是褒义还是贬义取决于后面跟的形容词。例如，“尝起来很美味”是褒义，“尝起来很奇怪”可能是贬义。
Test Yourself
这个西瓜________很甜。
句子描述的是西瓜的味道，所以应该用“尝起来”。
你觉得这个咖啡怎么样？
问题是关于味道的，所以“尝起来很苦”是最直接的回答。
酸，这个柠檬
正确的语序是“主语+尝起来+味道描述”。
Score: /3
Summary
“尝起来” describes the perceived taste of something after you have tasted it.
- Describes the taste of food or drink.
- Used after tasting something.
- Common in daily food conversations.
Focus on Taste Perception
Remember '尝起来' is about your direct sensory experience of taste after eating or drinking.
Don't Confuse with Smell
Avoid using '尝起来' for describing smell. Use '闻起来' (wén qǐlái) for scents.
Food is Central
Discussing taste is a very common and important part of social interaction in Chinese culture, especially around meals.
Examples
4 of 4这个苹果尝起来很甜。
This apple tastes very sweet.
厨师说这道菜尝起来味道很特别。
The chef said this dish tastes very unique.
这杯奶茶尝起来有点腻。
This cup of milk tea tastes a bit too rich/greasy.
根据测试，这种新型食品尝起来具有天然的果香味。
According to the tests, this new type of food tastes like it has a natural fruity aroma.
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