là

鬎

Character · Adjective · VerbTraditional辣

spicy; pungent; cruel; shrewd

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 10 examples
1.

adjective

spicy; hot; pungent

Describes the burning sensation caused by chili peppers, mustard, etc.

Zhè这
dào道
cài菜
tài太
là辣
le了
 ,
wǒ我
shòu受
bù不
liǎo了
 。

This dish is too spicy for me to handle.

Tā她
chī吃
là辣
de的
běn本
shì事
hěn很
dà大
 。

She has a high tolerance for spicy food.

Show 1 more example
Wǒ我
mǎi买
le了
yī一
zhǒng种
hěn很
là辣
de的
là辣
jiāo椒
jiàng酱
 。

I bought a very hot chili sauce.

2.

adjective

vicious; ruthless; cruel

derogatory

Describes a person's character or actions that are harsh and merciless.

Zhè这
gè个
lǎo老
bǎn板
duì对
yuán员
gōng工
de的
shǒu手
duàn段
fēi非
cháng常
là辣
 。

This boss is very ruthless in his treatment of employees.

Tā她
shuō说
huà话
là辣
 ,
dàn但
xīn心
yǎn眼
bù不
huài坏
 。

She speaks harshly, but she's not a bad person at heart.

Show 1 more example
Jiù旧
shè社
huì会
de的
tǔ土
háo豪
liè劣
shēn绅
xīn心
hěn狠
shǒu手
là辣
 。

The local tyrants and evil gentry in the old society were cruel and ruthless.

3.

adjective

shrewd; sharp; experienced

commendatory

Often used to describe someone who is savvy, bold, and effective, especially in business or social situations.

Tā她
bàn办
shì事
hěn很
là辣
 ,
shì是
gè个
néng能
gàn干
de的
nǚ女
qiáng强
rén人
 。

She handles affairs shrewdly and is a capable career woman.

Zuò做
shēng生
yì意
xū需
yào要
yī一
diǎn点
là辣
jìn劲
 。

Doing business requires a bit of sharpness and boldness.

4.

verb

to sting; to burn (like spice)

Used when a sensation, like a strong smell or emotion, causes a similar discomfort to spiciness.

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

Cutting onions made my eyes sting and tear up.

Zhè这
zhǒng种
yào药
shuǐ水
tú涂
zài在
shāng伤
kǒu口
shàng上
huì会
yǒu有
diǎn点
là辣
 。

This liquid will sting a bit when applied to the wound.