When we describe something that tastes 过甜 (guò tián), it means it's excessively sweet. The character 过 (guò) in this context acts as an intensifier, similar to "too" or "over" in English. It implies that the sweetness has surpassed an acceptable or pleasant level.
You might use 过甜 to describe a drink that has too much sugar, a dessert that's overwhelmingly saccharine, or even a fruit that has an unusual concentration of sweetness. It's a useful phrase to express a specific sensory experience when something goes beyond just being sweet and becomes unpleasantly so.
When we describe something as overly sweet, like a dessert or a drink, we use the adjective “过甜” (guò tián).
It’s formed by combining “过” (guò), meaning “excessive” or “overly,” with “甜” (tián), which means “sweet.”
So, literally, it translates to “excessively sweet” or “too sweet.”
You can use it in sentences like “这个蛋糕过甜了” (zhè ge dàn gāo guò tián le), meaning “This cake is too sweet,” or “我觉得这杯咖啡过甜” (wǒ jué de zhè bēi kā fēi guò tián), which means “I find this cup of coffee too sweet.”
Examples by Level
这个苹果过甜。
This apple is too sweet.
咖啡过甜不好喝。
Coffee that is too sweet is not good to drink.
这个蛋糕有点过甜。
This cake is a bit too sweet.
我不喜欢过甜的饮料。
I don't like drinks that are too sweet.
这杯茶过甜了。
This cup of tea is too sweet.
他觉得果汁过甜。
He thinks the juice is too sweet.
过甜的食物我不爱吃。
I don't like to eat food that is too sweet.
这个糖果过甜。
This candy is too sweet.
这杯咖啡过甜了，我下次要少放糖。
This cup of coffee is too sweet, I'll add less sugar next time.
我觉得这个蛋糕过甜，吃多了会腻。
I think this cake is too sweet, eating too much will be cloying.
服务员，这道菜有点过甜，可以帮我调整一下吗？
Waiter, this dish is a bit too sweet, could you adjust it for me?
我不太喜欢过甜的饮料，更喜欢清淡的。
I don't really like overly sweet drinks, I prefer lighter ones.
她的声音过甜，听起来不太自然。
Her voice is too sweet, it sounds a bit unnatural.
这部电影的结局有点过甜，不够真实。
The ending of this movie is a bit too sweet, not realistic enough.
这个果汁过甜了，我需要加点水稀释一下。
This juice is too sweet, I need to add some water to dilute it.
他做的甜点总是有点过甜，我吃不惯。
His desserts are always a bit too sweet, I'm not used to them.
这杯咖啡对我来说过甜了，能给我加点水吗？
This cup of coffee is too sweet for me; could you add some water?
我觉得这个蛋糕过甜了，下次可以少放点糖。
I think this cake is too sweet; next time, you can put less sugar.
他不喜欢过甜的饮料，所以只喝无糖的茶。
He doesn't like overly sweet drinks, so he only drinks unsweetened tea.
这家店的甜点总是过甜，吃多了会腻。
The desserts at this store are always too sweet, and eating too much can be sickening.
我觉得这份炒面有点过甜，可能是放了太多酱油。
I find this stir-fried noodles a bit too sweet; maybe too much soy sauce was added.
这种水果本身就过甜，不适合做果酱。
This fruit itself is too sweet and not suitable for making jam.
我妈妈做的菜从来不过甜，味道总是刚刚好。
My mother's cooking is never too sweet; the taste is always just right.
虽然知道过甜不健康，但我还是忍不住多吃了几口。
Although I know too much sweetness is unhealthy, I still couldn't resist eating a few more bites.
这道甜点对我来说有点过甜，我更喜欢清淡的口味。
This dessert is a bit too sweet for me; I prefer lighter flavors.
你尝尝这个蛋糕，我觉得它过甜了。
Try this cake; I think it's too sweet.
她不喜欢咖啡里放太多糖，因为那样会过甜。
She doesn't like too much sugar in her coffee because it would be too sweet.
这种饮料过甜，喝多了会觉得腻。
This drink is too sweet; drinking too much makes you feel cloyed.
我做饭时通常会少放糖，避免菜肴过甜。
When I cook, I usually use less sugar to avoid the dishes being too sweet.
他点的奶茶有点过甜，下次我会提醒他少糖。
The milk tea he ordered was a bit too sweet; next time I'll remind him to ask for less sugar.
虽然她喜欢甜食，但这个冰淇淋对她来说还是过甜了。
Although she likes sweets, this ice cream was still too sweet for her.
很多市售的果汁都过甜，不如自己榨的健康。
Many commercially available fruit juices are too sweet, not as healthy as freshly squeezed ones.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
这个蛋糕有点过甜。
This cake is a bit too sweet.
我不喜欢过甜的食物。
I don't like food that is too sweet.
这杯咖啡对我来说过甜了。
This cup of coffee is too sweet for me.
请给我少糖，我不喜欢过甜。
Please give me less sugar, I don't like it too sweet.
这个水果吃起来有点过甜。
This fruit tastes a bit too sweet.
他的话听起来有点过甜。
His words sound a bit too sweet (flattering).
我更喜欢不那么过甜的茶。
I prefer tea that is not so sweet.
她觉得这个酱料过甜了。
She thinks this sauce is too sweet.
这道菜有点过甜，下次少放糖。
This dish is a bit too sweet, next time put less sugar.
他不喜欢过甜的葡萄酒。
He doesn't like wine that is too sweet.
Tips
Basic Meaning of 过甜
过甜 (guò tián) directly translates to too sweet. The character 过 (guò) means 'excessive' or 'over', and 甜 (tián) means 'sweet'. So, literally, it's 'over sweet'.
Using 过 with Adjectives
You can use 过 before many adjectives to indicate an excessive degree. For example, 过大 (guò dà - too big), 过小 (guò xiǎo - too small), 过热 (guò rè - too hot).
Common Usage in Food
过甜 is most commonly used when describing food or drinks. For instance, if you're having a dessert and it's not to your liking because of the sugar content, you'd say it's 过甜.
Expressing Dislike
When someone says something is 过甜, it often implies a dislike or a preference for something less sweet. It's rarely a compliment.
Asking for Less Sugar
If you want to order something with less sugar, you can use 少糖 (shǎo táng). For example, 我要一杯少糖的奶茶 (Wǒ yào yì bēi shǎo táng de nǎichá - I want a cup of less-sugar milk tea).
Not Just for Taste
While primarily for taste, 过甜 can also be used metaphorically, though less common. For example, a compliment that is too flattering could arguably be described as 过甜, meaning insincere or excessive.
Sentence Structure with 过甜
You can use 过甜 directly after the subject or with a linking verb like 太 (tài - too). For example, 这个蛋糕过甜 (Zhège dàngāo guò tián - This cake is too sweet) or 这个咖啡太甜了 (Zhège kāfēi tài tián le - This coffee is too sweet).
Contrast with 不甜
The opposite of 过甜 is simply 不甜 (bù tián - not sweet) or 不够甜 (bù gòu tián - not sweet enough). There's no direct single word for 'not sweet enough' like 'undersweet'.
Sweetness Preference in China
Generally, Chinese cuisine is not as sweet as some Western cuisines. Many traditional Chinese desserts are only mildly sweet. So, what might be considered 'normal sweet' in some cultures could be 过甜 in others.
Practice with Examples
Try describing things you eat or drink: 这杯茶过甜了。 (Zhèi bēi chá guò tián le - This cup of tea is too sweet.) 我觉得这个冰淇淋有点过甜。 (Wǒ juéde zhège bīngqílín yǒudiǎn guò tián - I think this ice cream is a bit too sweet.)
Test Yourself 48 questions
这个蛋糕有点____。
The sentence means 'This cake is a little too sweet.' '过甜' (guò tián) means 'too sweet'. The other options do not fit the context of a cake's taste.
我不喜欢喝____的咖啡。
The sentence means 'I don't like to drink coffee that is too sweet.' '过甜' (guò tián) is the correct word to describe the taste of coffee that is excessively sweet.
这杯茶对你来说____吗？
The sentence asks 'Is this cup of tea too sweet for you?' '过甜' (guò tián) means 'too sweet', which is appropriate for describing the taste of tea.
我觉得这个糖果____了。
The sentence means 'I think this candy is too sweet.' Candies are often sweet, so '过甜' (guò tián) fits the context perfectly.
他不喜欢____的食物。
The sentence means 'He doesn't like food that is too sweet.' '过甜' (guò tián) is used to describe the taste of food.
这个果汁有点____，我喜欢更清淡的。
The sentence means 'This juice is a little too sweet; I prefer lighter ones.' '过甜' (guò tián) describes the taste of the juice, making it the correct choice.
这个蛋糕有点___，我不喜欢。
The sentence indicates a dislike for the cake, and '过甜' (too sweet) is the most appropriate reason for disliking a cake.
咖啡加了太多糖，味道有点___。
Adding too much sugar makes coffee '过甜' (too sweet).
我最近不喜欢吃___的食物。
This sentence expresses a general dislike for a certain taste, and '过甜' (too sweet) fits the context of food preferences.
这杯果汁___，你可以加点水吗？
If juice is '过甜' (too sweet), adding water can dilute it.
她做的点心总是有点___，但我还是很喜欢。
Pastries are often sweet, so '过甜' (too sweet) is a common description, even if liked.
我觉得这瓶饮料___，下次买别的。
A common reason to not buy a drink again is if it's '过甜' (too sweet).
You are at a cafe. Describe a drink that is "too sweet" for you, and politely ask for a different one. (2-3 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这杯咖啡对我来说过甜了。(This coffee is too sweet for me.) 我可以换一杯吗？(Can I get a different one?)
Imagine you are baking a cake and accidentally add too much sugar. How would you describe the cake using "过甜"? (1-2 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个蛋糕过甜了，因为我放了太多糖。(This cake is too sweet because I put too much sugar.)
Your friend offers you a piece of candy. You don't like very sweet things. How would you politely decline, explaining it's "too sweet" for you? (1-2 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
谢谢，但是这个糖果对我来说有点过甜。(Thanks, but this candy is a bit too sweet for me.)
小明为什么不多吃蛋糕？(Why didn't Xiaoming eat more cake?)
Read this passage:
小明不喜欢吃太甜的东西。今天他妈妈给他买了一个生日蛋糕，但是蛋糕过甜了，小明只吃了一小块。他妈妈问他为什么不多吃一点，小明说他不喜欢过甜的味道。
小明为什么不多吃蛋糕？(Why didn't Xiaoming eat more cake?)
文章中提到“但是蛋糕过甜了，小明只吃了一小块”，所以他不多吃是因为蛋糕太甜了。(The passage mentions 'but the cake was too sweet, Xiaoming only ate a small piece', so he didn't eat more because the cake was too sweet.)
文章中提到“但是蛋糕过甜了，小明只吃了一小块”，所以他不多吃是因为蛋糕太甜了。(The passage mentions 'but the cake was too sweet, Xiaoming only ate a small piece', so he didn't eat more because the cake was too sweet.)
根据这段文字，这家咖啡店的抹茶拿铁有什么特点？(According to this passage, what is a characteristic of this coffee shop's matcha latte?)
Read this passage:
这家咖啡店的抹茶拿铁很有名，但是对一些人来说，他们的抹茶拿铁有点过甜。如果你不喜欢太甜的饮料，可以告诉店员少放糖。
根据这段文字，这家咖啡店的抹茶拿铁有什么特点？(According to this passage, what is a characteristic of this coffee shop's matcha latte?)
文章中提到“但是对一些人来说，他们的抹茶拿铁有点过甜”。(The passage mentions 'but for some people, their matcha latte is a bit too sweet.')
文章中提到“但是对一些人来说，他们的抹茶拿铁有点过甜”。(The passage mentions 'but for some people, their matcha latte is a bit too sweet.')
丽丽不喜欢什么类型的甜点？(What kind of dessert does Lili dislike?)
Read this passage:
丽丽喜欢吃甜食，但是她觉得有些甜点过甜了，比如有些巧克力蛋糕。她喜欢甜度适中的食物，这样才能尝到食物本身的味道。
丽丽不喜欢什么类型的甜点？(What kind of dessert does Lili dislike?)
文章中提到“但是她觉得有些甜点过甜了，比如有些巧克力蛋糕”。(The passage mentions 'but she thinks some desserts are too sweet, like some chocolate cakes'.)
文章中提到“但是她觉得有些甜点过甜了，比如有些巧克力蛋糕”。(The passage mentions 'but she thinks some desserts are too sweet, like some chocolate cakes'.)
这款蛋糕有点____，我更喜欢不那么甜的。
The sentence indicates a preference for something less sweet, so '过甜' (too sweet) is the most appropriate choice. '过咸' means too salty, '过辣' means too spicy, and '过酸' means too sour.
咖啡里加了太多糖，所以喝起来____。
Adding too much sugar makes something too sweet, so '过甜' is the correct answer. '过苦' means too bitter, '过淡' means too bland, and '过香' means too fragrant.
很多孩子喜欢吃____的糖果。
Children generally like sweet candies, and '过甜' describes something as too sweet, which aligns with common preference for candies. '过饱' means too full, '过大' means too big, and '过快' means too fast.
如果你不喜欢吃甜食，那么你可能会觉得这个巧克力蛋糕过甜。
If someone dislikes sweets, they would likely find a chocolate cake, especially one that is very sweet, to be '过甜' (too sweet).
咖啡加糖越多，味道就越不过甜。
Adding more sugar to coffee makes it sweeter, not less sweet. Therefore, it would become '过甜' (too sweet).
这杯果汁尝起来有点酸，所以可以说它过甜。
If a drink tastes sour (酸), it cannot be described as '过甜' (too sweet). These are opposite taste profiles.
The correct order forms the sentence 'This cake is a bit too sweet.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'I don't like drinks that are too sweet.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'This dish is a bit too sweet for me.'
Describe a time you ate or drank something that was 过甜 (too sweet). How did it make you feel? What did you do about it?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次我喝了一杯奶茶，但是他们放了太多糖，所以我觉得过甜了。喝完之后，我感觉有点恶心，所以下次我点奶茶的时候会告诉他们少放糖。
Imagine you are explaining to a friend why a certain dish is 过甜. What kind of ingredients might make it 过甜? What would you suggest to balance the taste?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个蛋糕有点过甜，我觉得可能是因为他们放了太多的糖霜或者甜味剂。下次我们可以加一些酸的水果，比如柠檬或者浆果，来平衡一下甜味。
You are at a restaurant and the dessert you ordered is 过甜. How would you politely explain this to the waiter and ask for a solution?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你好，我想说一下这个甜点对我来说有点过甜了。请问有什么办法可以解决吗？比如说，可以给我换一个不那么甜的甜点吗？
根据这段文字，中国人通常对“过甜”的甜味有什么看法？
Read this passage:
在中国文化中，很多人喜欢甜食，但是他们通常更喜欢清甜的味道，而不是那种让人觉得“过甜”的甜味。如果一道菜或者甜点被评价为“过甜”，那通常意味着它的甜度超出了大部分人的接受范围，可能会让人感到腻。
根据这段文字，中国人通常对“过甜”的甜味有什么看法？
文章中明确提到“很多人喜欢甜食，但是他们通常更喜欢清甜的味道，而不是那种让人觉得‘过甜’的甜味。”
文章中明确提到“很多人喜欢甜食，但是他们通常更喜欢清甜的味道，而不是那种让人觉得‘过甜’的甜味。”
小明的红烧肉为什么被他妈妈评价为“过甜”？
Read this passage:
小明第一次尝试做红烧肉，他按照菜谱放了大量的糖来调味。结果，这道红烧肉变得非常甜，他妈妈尝了一口就说：“小明啊，你这红烧肉做得有点过甜了，下次少放点糖。” 小明听了之后，决定下次改进。
小明的红烧肉为什么被他妈妈评价为“过甜”？
文章中写道：“他按照菜谱放了大量的糖来调味。结果，这道红烧肉变得非常甜。”
文章中写道：“他按照菜谱放了大量的糖来调味。结果，这道红烧肉变得非常甜。”
根据这段文字，在咖啡中“过甜”会带来什么影响？
Read this passage:
在品尝咖啡时，如果加了过多的糖或甜味剂，咖啡本身的苦涩和香醇就会被掩盖，导致味道过于单一，只剩下甜味。一位咖啡师建议，品尝精品咖啡时最好是先喝原味，再根据个人喜好适量加糖，避免“过甜”影响咖啡的风味。
根据这段文字，在咖啡中“过甜”会带来什么影响？
文章中提到“如果加了过多的糖或甜味剂，咖啡本身的苦涩和香醇就会被掩盖，导致味道过于单一，只剩下甜味。”
文章中提到“如果加了过多的糖或甜味剂，咖啡本身的苦涩和香醇就会被掩盖，导致味道过于单一，只剩下甜味。”
这款蛋糕做得太___了，我吃了一口就腻了。
根据语境“吃了一口就腻了”判断，蛋糕的味道是“太甜了”。
他不喜欢喝___的咖啡，总是要求少放糖。
“少放糖”说明他不喜欢咖啡味道“过甜”。
虽然这道甜点看起来很诱人，但我觉得它可能___，对身体不太好。
甜点通常是甜的，结合“对身体不太好”推断是“过甜”。
她对甜食很挑剔，尤其是那些___的糕点，她一口都不碰。
“一口都不碰”说明她不喜欢这种糕点，而糕点通常是甜食，所以是“过甜”。
为了保持身材，她尽量避免摄入___的食物和饮料。
“保持身材”通常会避免摄入高糖食物，所以选择“过甜”。
这款饮料的口感很好，但是我觉得对我的口味来说，还是有点___了。
饮料通常以甜味为主，结合“有点___了”表达不满，所以是“过甜”。
她觉得这杯咖啡______，所以她加了点水。
句子中提到她加了水，通常是为了稀释过甜的味道。
尽管很多人喜欢甜食，但他却觉得这个蛋糕______，让他无法下咽。
无法下咽表明对味道的不适，对于甜食来说，过甜是常见的原因。
对于糖尿病患者来说，任何食物都不能______。
糖尿病患者需要控制糖分摄入，因此食物不能过甜。
如果一道菜肴的味道“过甜”，通常意味着它包含了超出个人接受范围的糖分。
“过甜”确实表示食物中的甜味超出了个人的接受程度。
当你形容某款饮料“过甜”时，你可能是在建议减少其糖分含量。
“过甜”通常是一种负面评价，暗示需要调整甜度。
“过甜”这个词只能用来形容食物的味道，不能形容其他方面。
虽然主要用于食物，但在某些语境下，“过甜”也可以引申形容某些风格或行为过于柔媚或做作。
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 过甜
过甜 (guò tián) directly translates to too sweet. The character 过 (guò) means 'excessive' or 'over', and 甜 (tián) means 'sweet'. So, literally, it's 'over sweet'.
Using 过 with Adjectives
You can use 过 before many adjectives to indicate an excessive degree. For example, 过大 (guò dà - too big), 过小 (guò xiǎo - too small), 过热 (guò rè - too hot).
Common Usage in Food
过甜 is most commonly used when describing food or drinks. For instance, if you're having a dessert and it's not to your liking because of the sugar content, you'd say it's 过甜.
Expressing Dislike
When someone says something is 过甜, it often implies a dislike or a preference for something less sweet. It's rarely a compliment.
Example
这杯咖啡对我来说有点过甜。
Related Content
More food words
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.
