Meaning and Usage
"美味" (měiwèi) primarily means "delicious" or "tasty," referring to food that tastes very good. It is commonly used to compliment dishes in everyday conversation and writing.
Common Collocations
- 美味的菜 (měiwèi de cài): delicious dishes
- 美味佳肴 (měiwèi jiāyáo): gourmet food, delicacies
- 美味可口 (měiwèi kěkǒu): tasty and appetizing
Usage Notes
"美味" is often used as an adjective before nouns or as a predicate adjective. It conveys a positive evaluation of flavor and is generally polite and neutral in tone. It can describe both home-cooked meals and restaurant dishes.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse "美味" with "好吃" (hǎochī), which also means "tasty" but is more colloquial and casual. "美味" sounds slightly more formal or literary, suitable for menus, reviews, or polite compliments.