Here is a quick and dirty list of words that you can use to talk about flavors in Mandarin Chinese, they won’t be poetic, but you’ll be able to express yourself clearer:
1. 苦 (adj) – kǔ – Bitter
一点苦的绿色蔬菜
yì diǎn kǔ de lǜsè shūcài
A bitter green vegetable
2. 辣 (adj) – là – Spicy
太辣了有点刺痛
tài là le yǒudiǎn cìtòng
so spicy that is smarts
3. 味道 (n) – wèidào – Taste
恶心的味道
ěxīn de wèidao
disgusting taste
4. 酸 (adj) – suān – Sour
酸柠檬
suān níngméng
sour lemons
5. 咸 (adj)- xián – Salty
咸土豆片
xián tǔdòupiàn
salty chips
6. 甜 (adj) – tián – Sweet
甜糕点
tiángāodiǎn
sweet pastry
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