là

辣

HSK 4Character · Adjective · Verb

spicy; pungent; stinging; ruthless

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 15 examples
1.

adjective

spicy; hot; pungent

Describes the sensation of heat or pungency in food, typically caused by capsicum or spices.

Sì四
chuān川
cài菜
hěn很
là辣
 。

Sichuan cuisine is very spicy.

Zhè这
wǎn碗
miàn面
tài太
là辣
le了
 ,
wǒ我
chī吃
bù不
xià下
 。

This bowl of noodles is too spicy for me to eat.

Show 3 more examples
Shēng生
huó活
suān酸
tián甜
kǔ苦
là辣
 ,
shén什
me么
zī滋
wèi味
dōu都
yǒu有
 。

Life has all sorts of flavors—sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy.

Tā他
yī一
diǎn点
là辣
dōu都
chī吃
bù不
liǎo了
 。

He can't handle spicy food at all.

Qǐng请
bāng帮
wǒ我
jiā加
yī一
diǎn点
là辣
yóu油
 。

Please add some chili oil for me.

2.

verb

to sting; to stimulate; to irritate

Refers to the physical irritation of sensory organs (eyes, nose) caused by strong smells, smoke, or spicy fumes.

Qiē切
yáng洋
cōng葱
là辣
de得
wǒ我
yǎn眼
jīng睛
zhí直
liú流
lèi泪
 。

Cutting onions makes my eyes water from the stinging.

Tā他
chī吃
dào到
yī一
kǒu口
jiè芥
mo末
 ,
là辣
de得
zhí直
suō缩
bó脖
zi子
 。

He ate a bite of wasabi and retracted his neck from the sting.

Show 3 more examples
Zhè这
gǔ股
yān烟
tài太
là辣
le了
 ,
gǎn赶
jǐn紧
bǎ把
chuāng窗
hu户
dǎ打
kāi开
 。

This smoke is too irritating/stinging, open the window quickly.

Chú厨
fáng房
lǐ里
de的
yóu油
yān烟
là辣
yǎn眼
jīng睛
 。

The cooking oil smoke in the kitchen stings the eyes.

Jiǔ酒
jīng精
wèi味
yǒu有
xiē些
là辣
bí鼻
zi子
 。

The smell of alcohol stings the nose a bit.

3.

adjective

ruthless; vicious; sinister

informal

Metaphorically describes a person's character or actions as cruel, sharp, and without mercy.

Zhè这
gè个
zuì罪
fàn犯
xīn心
hěn狠
shǒu手
là辣
 ,
shén什
me么
shì事
dōu都
gàn干
de得
chū出
lái来
 。

This criminal is ruthless and capable of doing anything.

Bié别
kàn看
tā她
shuō说
de得
hǎo好
tīng听
 ,
qí其
shí实
kǒu口
tián甜
xīn心
là辣
 。

Don't be fooled by her sweet talk; she is actually honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
chǔ处
lǐ理
qǐ起
wèn问
tí题
lái来
shǒu手
duàn段
hěn很
là辣
 。

He is very ruthless in his methods when dealing with problems.

Dà大
jiā家
dōu都
pà怕
nà那
gè个
là辣
shǒu手
de的
nǚ女
lǎo老
bǎn板
 。

Everyone is afraid of that tough and ruthless female boss.

Zhè这
yī一
zhāo招
zhēn真
gòu够
là辣
de的
 ,
ràng让
tā他
sǔn损
shī失
căn惨
zhòng重
 。

That move was really vicious; it caused him heavy losses.