This is a short blog entry about the overuse of the word “delicious” in China. I always hear, “Do you think this is delicious?” “What foods do you think are delicious?” Native speakers almost never use “delicious” in a question. For example, I might say, “Wow, this pizza is really delicious” but I would never ask, “Do you think this pizza is delicious?” Instead I would ask, “Do you like this pizza?” or “What do you think of this pizza?” or “Do you think this pizza is any good?” In fact, I almost never use the word “delicious” at all. I rarely say “this pizza is really delicious” I usually say, “This pizza is really good” or “this pizza is amazing”.
If I were asking someone if they like pizza in general, not a particular pizza, I would just ask “Do you like pizza?”
Most of the time you can just use the sentences, “Do you like …..?” or “I like ……” if you are talking about food in general.
Do you like ice cream?
I like hamburgers.
If you are talking about a particular something you could say “This …. is really good”
This salad is really good. This hamburger is really good.
I hope it helps and I hope to read your comments.
Andrew
Grammar and Word Usage Learning and Improving English
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on Saturday, August 4th, 2007 at 7:59 pm and is filed under Learning and Improving English, Grammar and Word Usage.
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August 5th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Got it,
Any comments about the McDonald and Kentucky Fried Chicken in China?
Meng
August 5th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Hi,im fr italki, i really like your website after reading,and i like yr blog.
yeah,native speakers almost never use “delicious” in a question.at lease
i’ve never heard.some of my foreigner friends they just ask:is it good?answer:yes,it’s really good.
besides this, could you please tell us how to use “get”,coz native speakers always use this word,for example”get drunk,get nervous….”,but many chinease don’t know how to use it,usually they just say when i drunk,if i nervous..”.
finally,thank you for your effort.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I’ve always wondered why English native speakers don’t use the word Delicious when talking about food in general.It’s probably overused in British English as I’ve seen many people using it in their daily conversations.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Hi Andy,
got it and then A QUESTION:
how about using “yummy”?
also does not sound native at all?