酸

• Pinyin: suān
• Hanzi breakdown: 酸 = 酉 (wine jar, fermentation) + 夋 (phonetic), meaning sour

Meaning

Sour; acidic. One of the five basic tastes.

Primarily describes the sour taste of food and drink. Also used figuratively: 酸 can describe aching muscles, a jealous feeling, or a bittersweet emotional state. Very common in food descriptions.

Examples

1. 这个苹果太酸了，我吃不了。 This apple is too sour; I can't eat it.
2. 糖醋鱼又酸又甜，非常好吃。 Sweet and sour fish is both sour and sweet, and very delicious.
3. 跑完步以后，他觉得腿很酸。 After running, he felt his legs were very sore.

Usage Guide

Context: food, health, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 柠檬比橙子酸多了。(Lemons are much sourer than oranges.)
• 我腰酸背痛，可能是坐太久了。(My lower back and shoulders ache; I probably sat for too long.)

Don't Say

• 这杯咖啡很酸。(While technically possible for some coffees, Chinese speakers usually say 苦 for coffee. 酸 for coffee may confuse listeners.)

Origin & History

Phono-semantic compound with 酉 (wine jar radical, suggesting fermentation) and 夋 (phonetic), sour taste arising from fermented liquids.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal