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美味 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
美味měiwèideliciousHSK 5, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #2875, Hard
美味měiwèidelicious foodHSK 5, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #2875, Hard
美味měiwèidelicacyHSK 5, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #2875, Hard
měiwèi(mei3wei4)mei wei T3
  1. 1delicious
  2. 2delicious food
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March 24, 2026

美味měiwèi(mei3wei4)

美味 (měi wèi) refers to food that is delicious or has a pleasant taste. It is commonly used to describe dishes that are not only tasty but also appealing in presentation. This term can be used in both casual and formal contexts when discussing food.

Strokes17Frequency#2875DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, food is an essential part of social gatherings, and describing a dish as 美味 shows appreciation for the cook's effort and the meal itself. Special dishes served during festivals are often referred to as 美味, emphasizing their importance.

Memory tip

Think of 美 (měi) as 'beautiful' and 味 (wèi) as 'taste'. Imagine a beautifully presented dish that looks so appealing that you can't wait to taste it. This connection will help you remember that 美味 means delicious.

Meanings of 美味

měiwèi(mei3wei4)
1delicious
2delicious food
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About 美味

美味Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 美味

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AI study notes for 美味

Quick Contrast

美味 (měiwèi) vs 可口 (kěkǒu) — use 美味 for a stronger emphasis on exquisite taste and presentation, while 可口 refers more to food that is simply appetizing.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 美味 (měi wèi) with 好吃 (hǎo chī), which also means 'tasty' but is more informal. 美味 is often used in more formal dining contexts. Also, remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

美味 is not currently part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but it relates to other food-related terms at this level. Focus on context when describing food, as it enhances your ability to express preferences and opinions in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use the word inappropriately for bland or ordinary food. For example, saying '这个汉堡很美味' (Zhège hànbǎo hěn měi wèi) about a fast-food burger may not convey the intended appreciation. Instead, use it for dishes that genuinely stand out.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 美味

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Component characters

美měibeautiful
HSK 49 strokes羊
View full entry
味wèitaste
HSK 48 strokes口
View full entry

How to say delicious in Chinese

“delicious” in Chinese is美味měiwèi

美味 (měi wèi) refers to food that is delicious or has a pleasant taste. It is commonly used to describe dishes that are not only tasty but also appealing in presentation. This term can be used in both casual and formal contexts when discussing food.

When to use 美味

Be careful not to confuse 美味 (měi wèi) with 好吃 (hǎo chī), which also means 'tasty' but is more informal. 美味 is often used in more formal dining contexts. Also, remember to use the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.

美味 or something close to it

美味 (měiwèi) vs 可口 (kěkǒu) — use 美味 for a stronger emphasis on exquisite taste and presentation, while 可口 refers more to food that is simply appetizing.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use the word inappropriately for bland or ordinary food. For example, saying '这个汉堡很美味' (Zhège hànbǎo hěn měi wèi) about a fast-food burger may not convey the intended appreciation. Instead, use it for dishes that genuinely stand out.

Write 美味

美
味

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Frequently asked questions about 美味

You can say '这道菜真美味' (Zhè dào cài zhēn měi wèi), meaning 'This dish is really delicious.'

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