Chinese phrases

How to say sweet in Chinese

Sweet in Chinese is 甜 (tián) when you talk about taste. For a sweet, thoughtful person, say 贴心 (tiē xīn).

甜

tián

sweet (taste)

Ways to say sweet

甜
tián
Everyday
sweet (taste)
For cake, fruit and drinks: 这个西瓜很甜, “this watermelon is sweet.” Also for a sweet smile or voice.
太甜了
tài tián le
Everyday
too sweet
A common complaint about desserts. The best praise for a cake is often 不太甜, “not too sweet.”
贴心
tiē xīn
Everyday
thoughtful; sweet (of a person)
When someone remembers what you like or helps before you ask: 你真贴心.
暖心
nuǎn xīn
Texting
heartwarming
For a kind act or a kind story, common in messages and comments: 好暖心.
甜蜜
tián mì
Everyday
sweet (of love)
For couples: wedding photos, an anniversary, a honeymoon. Friends tease a couple with 好甜蜜.
嘴甜
zuǐ tián
Everyday
sweet-talking
Good with kind words. Grandparents say it about a child who greets everyone: 这孩子嘴真甜.
少糖
shǎo táng
Everyday
less sugar
When you order a drink. Tea shops also offer 半糖 (half sugar) and 无糖 (no sugar).

Saying 你太甜了 for “that’s so sweet of you”
To a friend, 你太甜了 sounds like flirting. 甜 suits a sweet smile, a sweet voice or a loving couple. For a kind act, say 你真贴心 or 你太好了.
Saying 甜 for “Sweet!”
The English “Sweet!” means “great!” In Chinese, say 太好了 or 太棒了.

我给你买了奶茶，少糖的。
wǒ gěi nǐ mǎi le nǎi chá, shǎo táng de
Qiqi: I got you a milk tea, less sugar.
你真贴心！你怎么知道我不喜欢太甜的？
nǐ zhēn tiē xīn! nǐ zěn me zhī dào wǒ bù xǐ huan tài tián de
Leon: That’s so sweet of you! How did you know I don’t like it too sweet?
你上次说的呀。
nǐ shàng cì shuō de ya
Qiqi: You told me last time.
谢谢！
xiè xie
Leon: Thank you!

In the dictionary: 甜 · 贴心 · 甜蜜 · 嘴甜