Basic Meaning
The character 酸 primarily means "sour," describing a taste sensation often experienced with citrus fruits or fermented foods. It is a common adjective in everyday conversation when talking about food.
Extended Meaning
Besides taste, 酸 is also used to describe physical sensations, especially muscle soreness or stiffness after exercise. This usage is very common in casual speech.
Figurative Use
In informal contexts, 酸 can describe a person's expression or attitude that shows jealousy or envy, often translated as "sour" in English slang.
Common Collocations
- 酸味 (suānwèi): sour taste, used to describe flavors.
- 肌肉酸痛 (jīròu suāntòng): muscle soreness, common after physical activity.
- 酸溜溜的表情 (suān liūliū de biǎoqíng): a sour or jealous expression.
Usage Tips
When using 酸 to describe taste, it usually appears before the noun (e.g., 酸柠檬). For muscle soreness, it often pairs with body parts (e.g., 腿酸). The figurative use is more colloquial and often appears in spoken language or informal writing. Avoid confusing 酸 with other taste adjectives like 苦 (bitter) or 甜 (sweet).