味精

• Pinyin: wèi jīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 味 = 口 + 未 (taste, flavor sensation); 精 = 米 + 青 (refined essence)

Meaning

MSG (monosodium glutamate). A common food additive derived from glutamic acid, used to enhance the savory, umami flavor of dishes.

Widely used in Chinese cuisine and the food manufacturing industry. Health debates around MSG have led to reduced usage in some households and restaurants, with 鸡精 (chicken-flavored seasoning) becoming a popular alternative. Often listed on food labels as a regulated additive.

Examples

1. 这道汤不需要加味精，食材本身已经非常鲜美。 This soup doesn’t need MSG—the ingredients are already naturally delicious.
2. 许多家庭已经改用鸡精来代替传统味精。 Many families have started using chicken bouillon seasoning instead of traditional MSG.
3. 食品标签上清楚地标注了含有味精的成分。 The food label clearly indicates that it contains ingredients with MSG.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 炒菜时适量加一点味精，可以显著提升整道菜的鲜味。(Adding a small amount of MSG when stir-frying can significantly enhance the overall umami flavor of the dish.)
• 越来越多的餐厅宣称不添加味精，以吸引注重健康的消费者。(More and more restaurants now claim to be MSG-free in order to attract health-conscious consumers.)

Don't Say

• 我不喜欢吃味精的菜 — say 我不喜欢加味精的菜 or 我不喜欢放味精的菜; 吃味精 sounds like eating MSG directly rather than eating food seasoned with it

Origin & History

味 (taste, flavor) + 精 (essence, refined substance) — the refined essence of flavor

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal