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taste
/teɪst/
The primary sense describes the biological physical experience of flavor. It is a neutral term but becomes evaluative when used to describe quality (e.g., "a bitter taste"). When applied to aesthetics or preferences, it shifts from a physical sensation to a social and intellectual judgment. In this context, "taste" implies a level of discernment, sophistication, or cultural capital. Having "good taste" suggests an alignment with accepted standards of beauty or quality. As a verb, it functions both as an active exploration (sampling food) and a passive state of being (the inherent flavor of an object). The latter is often used to make comparisons using "like," linking the sensory experience to a known reference point.
💬Trò chuyện
DAVID I BOUGHT A NEON PINK SOFA. YOU ALWAYS HAD BAD TASTE ANYWAY.
Mom please stop. I'm trying to pivot my team right now.
Ý nghĩa
The sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on exposure to a substance.
"The soup has a salty taste."
A preference or liking for a particular thing; an aesthetic judgment.
"She has an expensive taste in jewelry."
Ví dụ
This taste is just... way too salty, I can't eat it!
God, your taste in music is absolutely horrific, turn it off!
I love the taste of fresh peppermint tea.
Quick, taste this! Does it need more sugar or what?
The fruit has a very sweet taste.
Wait, does this wine taste like vinegar to you?
He has a very refined taste in art.
Ugh, this medicine tastes like old pennies!
I can't quite describe the taste of this spice.
Honey, please taste the sauce before you serve it!
Cụm từ kết hợp
acquired taste
Something that you do not like at first, but gradually begin to enjoy.
taste buds
The sensory organs on the tongue that allow one to perceive flavor.
good taste
An aesthetic judgment showing a preference for high quality or propriety.
bitter taste
A sharp, pungent, and unpleasant flavor sensation.
taste preference
An individual's specific liking for certain flavors or styles.
Thành ngữ & Tục ngữ
a taste of one's own medicine
To experience the same unpleasant treatment that one has given to others.
acquired taste
Something that you do not like at first, but come to like over time.
leave a bad taste in one's mouth
To leave a negative feeling or impression after an experience.
a taste for something
A preference or liking for a particular thing.
in poor taste
Inappropriate, offensive, or lacking in social delicacy.
Bối cảnh văn hóa
When we speak about "taste," we are often describing a complex sensory illusion. In strict biological terms, taste is limited to the five basic modalities detected by our taste buds: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (the savory profile of glutamates). However, what we actually experience when eating a gourmet meal isn't just taste—it is "flavor," a multisensory integration where the olfactory system plays the lead role.
One of the most fascinating phenomena in human perception is retronasal olfaction. While your tongue identifies the saltiness of a potato chip, aromatic molecules travel from the back of your throat up into your nasal cavity. This allows your brain to perceive specific nuances, like "barbecue" or "sour cream and onion." If you hold your nose while eating, you will find that your ability to distinguish complex flavors vanishes, leaving only the basic taste profiles behind. This is why everything tastes bland when you have a heavy cold; your taste buds are functioning perfectly, but your olfactory sensors are blocked.
Beyond biology, there is the psychological layer of "acquired taste." This occurs when the brain learns to associate a potentially aversive stimulus—such as the bitterness of dark chocolate, the pungency of blue cheese, or the astringency of dry red wine—with a rewarding outcome. Initially, our evolutionary instincts flag bitter flavors as signs of toxicity (a survival mechanism). However, through repeated exposure and positive reinforcement, we override this primal fear. The "taste" then shifts from a warning signal to a sophisticated preference.
Ultimately, taste is not just a chemical reaction on the tongue; it is a conversation between your genetics, your memories, and your environment. From the "supertasters" who find broccoli unbearably bitter to those who crave the heat of capsaicin, our sensory experience defines how we interact with the world around us.