有点儿淡。
A bit bland.
Littéralement: Have a little bit thin/tasteless.
Use this phrase to politely indicate that food needs more salt or flavor.
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe food that lacks salt or seasoning.
- Softened by 'yǒudiǎnr' to sound like a polite observation.
- The opposite of 'xián' (salty) or 'zhòng' (heavy flavor).
Signification
This is what you say when your food is missing that 'oomph'—usually because it needs more salt or seasoning. It's a polite but clear way to say something tastes a bit watery or plain.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Tasting a soup at a restaurant
这个汤有点儿淡，可以给我一点儿盐吗？
This soup is a bit bland, can I have some salt?
Cooking with a friend
我觉得有点儿淡，再放点儿酱油吧。
I think it's a bit bland, let's add some more soy sauce.
A waiter asking for feedback
味道还可以，就是有点儿淡。
The flavor is okay, it's just a bit bland.
Contexte culturel
In Chinese culinary philosophy, 'Dan' (blandness) is actually a complex concept. While this phrase is used for under-seasoned food, the root word 'Dan' is also linked to Taoist ideas of simplicity and purity. However, at a dinner table, it usually just means you want more salt!
The 'Yǒudiǎnr' Rule
In Chinese, we usually use `有点儿` before adjectives with a negative connotation. It makes you sound less like you're complaining and more like you're just noticing.
The Salt Secret
If you find food bland in China, ask for `盐` (yán - salt) or `酱油` (jiàngyóu - soy sauce). Most casual places won't mind at all!
En 15 secondes
- Used to describe food that lacks salt or seasoning.
- Softened by 'yǒudiǎnr' to sound like a polite observation.
- The opposite of 'xián' (salty) or 'zhòng' (heavy flavor).
What It Means
有点儿淡 is your go-to phrase for under-seasoned food. In Chinese, 淡 (dàn) literally means 'thin' or 'weak.' When applied to food, it means it lacks salt or flavor. It is the opposite of 咸 (xián), which means salty. Use this when the soup tastes like plain water. Use it when the stir-fry feels a bit sad.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence. Just point at the dish and say 有点儿淡. To be more specific, add the food name first. For example, 这个汤有点儿淡. The 有点儿 part adds a 'bit' of softness. It makes your critique sound like an observation, not a complaint. It is a very natural way to speak.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant when you need the salt shaker. Use it at home when your partner forgets the soy sauce. It is perfect for casual dining settings. It is also useful when someone asks for your opinion. If a chef asks "How is it?", this is a fair critique. It shows you have a discerning palate!
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if the food is intentionally light. Some Cantonese dishes are meant to be 清淡 (qīngdàn), or 'fresh and light.' In these cases, saying it is 淡 might sound like you don't understand the cuisine. Avoid saying it loudly at a formal banquet. You might make the host lose face. Also, don't use it for people's personalities yet—that is a bit more advanced!
Cultural Background
Chinese food culture is obsessed with 'Kouwei' (taste profile). In Northern China, people generally prefer stronger, saltier flavors. If a Northerner says 有点儿淡, they are probably reaching for the salt. In the South, flavors are more delicate. However, salt is seen as the 'king of flavors.' Without it, the dish has no 'soul.' This phrase helps you navigate these salty expectations.
Common Variations
You might hear 太淡了 (tài dàn le). This means 'too bland' and is a bit stronger. If you want to be very polite, say 味道比较淡 (wèidào bǐjiào dàn). This means 'the flavor is relatively light.' If you are texting, you can just write 淡了 to your roommate. It gets the point across instantly.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and safe for daily life. Just remember that `有点儿` is almost always used for things you find slightly 'wrong' or 'inconvenient.'
The 'Yǒudiǎnr' Rule
In Chinese, we usually use `有点儿` before adjectives with a negative connotation. It makes you sound less like you're complaining and more like you're just noticing.
The Salt Secret
If you find food bland in China, ask for `盐` (yán - salt) or `酱油` (jiàngyóu - soy sauce). Most casual places won't mind at all!
Don't offend the host
If you are at someone's house for the first time, maybe wait for them to say it's bland first. If they ask, you can say it's 'very healthy' instead!
Exemples
6这个汤有点儿淡，可以给我一点儿盐吗？
This soup is a bit bland, can I have some salt?
A standard, polite request for seasoning.
我觉得有点儿淡，再放点儿酱油吧。
I think it's a bit bland, let's add some more soy sauce.
Used during the cooking process to adjust flavor.
味道还可以，就是有点儿淡。
The flavor is okay, it's just a bit bland.
Constructive feedback that balances praise with a critique.
冰箱里的菜有点儿淡。
The food in the fridge is a bit bland.
Short and direct for a quick update.
为了健康，有点儿淡也能吃。
For the sake of health, I can eat it even if it's a bit bland.
A humorous way to justify eating tasteless 'healthy' food.
妈，今天的鱼是不是有点儿淡？
Mom, is today's fish a bit bland?
A gentle way to point out a mistake to a family member.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about tasteless noodles.
这些面条___。
If the noodles lack salt, they are 'dàn' (bland).
Make the sentence more polite by adding 'a little bit'.
这个菜___淡。
'有点儿' (yǒudiǎnr) is the standard modifier for negative or neutral qualities.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of '有点儿淡'
Talking to friends or family.
太淡了！
Standard use in restaurants.
有点儿淡。
Polite feedback to a host.
口味稍微清淡了一点。
When to say '有点儿淡'
At a noodle shop
Asking for salt
Home cooking
Adjusting the recipe
Healthy eating
Describing diet food
With a partner
Critiquing dinner
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means 'thin' or 'diluted.' When talking about food, it specifically refers to a lack of salt or strong flavor, like a soup that has too much water.
Not if you say it politely! Using 有点儿 (a bit) makes it a soft observation. It's much better than saying 'this is bad.'
Yes! If your tea or coffee tastes like plain water, you can say 这个茶有点儿淡.
The opposite is 咸 (xián) for salty, or 重 (zhòng) for 'heavy' or strong flavors.
You can follow up with 请给我一点儿盐 (Please give me a bit of salt).
Not really. To describe a 'bland' person, Chinese uses different words like 无趣 (wúqù - boring). 淡 for people usually implies they are calm or indifferent.
Yes, you can say 味道比较清淡 (wèidào bǐjiào qīngdàn). This sounds more like a professional culinary critique.
You can say 一点儿味道都没有 (yīdiǎnr wèidào dōu méiyǒu), which means 'it has no flavor at all.'
The meaning is the same everywhere, but in the North, people might add the 'r' sound to 有点儿, while in the South, they just say 有点.
Yes! 淡蓝色 (dàn lán sè) means light blue. It works for colors just like it works for flavors.
Expressions liées
太咸了
Too salty.
没味道
No flavor / Tasteless.
清淡
Light and fresh (often positive).
重口味
Strong flavors / Heavy seasoning.
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