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Say it in Chinese

How to say no spicy in Chinese

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No spicy in Chinese is 不bú要yào辣là. It means “don’t want spicy”. Noodle shops and food stalls often ask 要yào辣là吗ma (want it spicy)? This is the answer if you do not want chili.

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The phrase

不要辣 (bú yào là) No spicy
  • 不要bú yàonot want
  • 辣làspicy

What it means

不bú要yào辣là means “no spicy” or “don’t make it spicy”. 不bú要yào is “don’t want” and 辣là is “spicy”.

Say it when the cook asks how you want your food, or when you order.

In many places the cook adds chili oil or fresh chili at the end, so it is easy to leave out. Some dishes are spicy all the way through, like chili crayfish. Then the answer may be that it cannot be made mild.

How to say it

Say bú yào là. bú rises. yào and là both fall.

不bù (not) is bù on its own. Before a falling tone it becomes bú. yào falls, so it is bú yào.

The pinyin shows how people really say it, the same as in the game.

When to use it

  1. At a noodle shop or wonton stand

    The cook often asks 要yào辣là吗ma? as soon as you order. Answer 不bú要yào辣là (no spicy), 要yào辣là (spicy) or 多duō放fàng辣là (extra spicy).

  2. Before you order at a food stall

    Ask 辣là吗ma (is it spicy)? If the answer is yes, ask 有yǒu不bú辣là的de吗ma (do you have a non-spicy one)?

  3. When someone asks if you eat spicy food

    Drivers and new friends like to ask 吃chī辣là吗ma (do you eat spicy food)? It is small talk. Answer 喜xǐ欢huan辣là (I like spicy) or 不bù喜xǐ欢huan辣là (I don’t like spicy).

Other ways to say it

The other answers and questions about chili, all from the game.

  • 有点辣。 (yóu diǎn là.) A little spicy.

    Use it to order a little heat, or to describe a dish after you try it.

  • 多放辣 (duō fàng là) More spicy

    Put in more chili. For people who like real heat.

  • 辣吗？ (là ma?) Is it spicy?

    Ask before you order something you do not know.

  • 有不辣的吗？ (yǒu bú là de ma?) Do you have a non-spicy one?

    Useful at a stall where the main dish is spicy.

What people say back

  • 不要辣 (bú yào là) No spicy

    The noodle shop owner asks 牛niú肉ròu面miàn，要yào辣là吗ma (beef noodles, want it spicy)?

    They may say 好嘞！ (hǎo lei!) Got it! (Cooks usually repeat your choice before they start.)
  • 辣吗？ (là ma?) Is it spicy?

    At a barbecue stall at a night market.

    They may say 有点辣。 (yóu diǎn là.) A little spicy.
  • 有不辣的吗？ (yǒu bú là de ma?) Do you have a non-spicy one?

    At a stall that sells spicy crayfish.

    They may say 有！几个人？ (yǒu! jǐ ge rén?) Yes! How many people? (Then answer with a number.)
  • 不喜欢辣 (bù xǐ huan là) Don’t like spicy

    A driver asks if you eat spicy food.

    They may say 那好！这里的菜甜，不辣。 (nà hǎo! zhè lǐ de cài tián, bú là.) Good then! The food here is sweet, not spicy. (Food in his city is on the sweet side.)

Common mistakes

  • Saying only “spicy”

    If you answer 要yào辣là吗ma? with just 辣là, the cook hears “spicy”. Put 不bú要yào in front, or say 不bú辣là (not spicy).

  • Thinking “a little” means mild

    有yóu点diǎn辣là (a little spicy) can still be quite hot in a place known for spicy food. If you do not eat chili at all, say 不bú要yào辣là.

  • Not answering

    If you say nothing, the cook makes it the usual way, which may be spicy.

  • Choosing extra spicy in the game

    In the game the bowl comes out the way you asked. Ask for 多duō放fàng辣là and the first bite is too hot. Your character thinks 太tài辣là了le (too spicy)!

Where it comes up in the game

  • A bowl of beef noodles

    On the evening of your first full day, the noodle shop owner asks 牛niú肉ròu面miàn，要yào辣là吗ma? You choose no chili, some or extra. She repeats it back, and the bowl matches what you said. After the first bite your character says if it is not spicy, a little spicy or too spicy.

  • The night market

    You ask a barbecue stall if the skewers are spicy. A friend asks if you like spicy food. At a crayfish stall you ask 有yǒu不bú辣là的de吗ma? for a table of three.

  • Meals later in the week

    The same question comes back at a family lunch with dumplings, at a wonton stand and at a spa buffet. You answer with the same three choices.

Questions

How do you say no spicy in Chinese?

No spicy in Chinese is 不bú要yào辣là. It means “don’t want spicy”. It is the usual answer when a cook asks 要yào辣là吗ma (want it spicy)?

How do you say a little spicy in Chinese?

A little spicy in Chinese is 有yóu点diǎn辣là. Use it to order a little heat, or to describe a dish you have tasted.

How do you ask if food is spicy in Chinese?

Ask 辣là吗ma (is it spicy)? or 辣là不bu辣là (spicy or not)? To ask for a mild dish, say 有yǒu不bú辣là的de吗ma (do you have a non-spicy one)?

Why does 不 sound like bú in 不要辣?

不bù (not) is bù on its own. Before a falling tone it becomes bú. yào falls, so it is bú yào.

How do you say extra spicy in Chinese?

Extra spicy in Chinese is 多duō放fàng辣là, which means “put in more chili”.

Is all Chinese food spicy?

Not all Chinese food is spicy. It depends a lot on the region. Some regional cooking is known for chili. Some is mild or a little sweet. Street food stalls often add chili only if you want it.

What do I say if food is too spicy?

Say 太tài辣là了le (too spicy). Tea, rice or soy milk are the usual ways to cool your mouth down.