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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/zh-bu-yao-la-no-spicy

How do you say 'I do not want spicy food' in Mandarin Chinese?

Say bú yào là (不要辣).

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  1. wǒ yào là (我要辣)
  2. qǐng gěi wǒ là (请给我辣)
  3. bú yào là (不要辣) ✔

Why: Bú yào (不要) means do not want, and là (辣) means spicy or hot. Use this at Sichuan or Hunan restaurants if you need mild food.

Huh, didn't know that: Là (辣) is chili heat, not temperature. Hot water is rè shuǐ (热水).

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Why did the pepper say bú yào là? It wanted to be a bell pepper.
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References

Answer: bú yào là (不要辣). Bú yào (不要) means do not want, and là (辣) means spicy or hot. Use this at Sichuan or Hunan restaurants if you need mild food.

  1. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 不要 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E4%B8%8D%E8%A6%81
    don't!; must not
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 辣 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E8%BE%A3
    hot (spicy) / pungent
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  3. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 热水 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E7%83%AD%E6%B0%B4
    hot water
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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