好辣！
hǎo là!
So spicy
好辣！ (hǎo là) is an exclamation used to express that food is very spicy. Speakers often use it when surprised by the intensity of the spice, perhaps after underestimating the heat level.
What does 好辣！ (hǎo là!) mean?
好辣！ (hǎo là!) means “so spicy” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “very spicy.”
When to use it
Informal and direct. It's a common spontaneous reaction. If you want to say something is “too spicy,” you can use 太辣了 (tài là le). If you want to say it's “a little spicy,” use 有点辣 (yǒudiǎn là).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “how LAH!” The 好 (hǎo) is a third tone, and 辣 (là) is a fourth tone.
Other ways to say it
- 太辣了tài là letoo spicy
- 真辣zhēn làreally spicy
- 有点辣yǒudiǎn làa little spicy
Examples
哇，好辣！我需要水。
wa, hǎo là! wǒ xūyào shuǐ.
Wow, so spicy! I need water.
这道菜好辣，但是很好吃。
zhè dào cài hǎo là, dànshì hěn hǎochī.
This dish is so spicy, but it's delicious.
你点的麻婆豆腐好辣啊！
nǐ diǎn de mápó dòufu hǎo là a!
The Mapo Tofu you ordered is so spicy!
Pro tip: When ordering, if you're sensitive to spice, remember to specify “微辣” (wēi là, “mildly spicy”) or “不辣” (bù là, “not spicy”) to avoid a “好辣！” surprise.
Related phrases
要冰的 · Cold one, please要热的 · Hot one, please不要香菜 · No cilantro, please
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