jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Chinese Idioms With Easy Explanations & Learning Activities：

津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi)

5

Learning Chinese idioms (成语) can be a fun and meaningful way to understand Chinese language and culture. It is however, not easy for children learning Chinese and English speakers to understand what they mean. And, Chinese idioms dictionaries often have explanations that need explanations themselves.

Not to worry! We have carefully written clear explanations in English for you. We have also added the equivalent English idioms and expressions so it’s super easy to understand! By the end of this blog post, you would have learned one more Chinese idiom!

Let’s dive into the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) !

5

Literal Meaning

The literal translation of the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) in English is “Droolworthy and tasty” 

津津yu

Definition

The Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) is used to describe people who eat with pleasure or savor their meals. 津 (jīn) means saliva, so 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) refers to something that makes people drooling. 

津津yu

津津

Similar English Idioms 相似英文习语

Comparable phrases in English include “Eat with relish”, “finger linking good”, “melt in one’s mouth”, and “eat with gusto.“

5

1. Eat with relish

• Definition: To eat something with great enjoyment and enthusiasm.
  津津gyu
• Example:
  English: She ate the homemade dumplings with relish, savoring every bite.
  Chinese: 她津津有味地吃着自制的饺子，每一口都充满满足感。
  (Tā jīnjīn yǒu wèi de chīzhe zìzhì de jiǎozi, měi yīkǒu dōu chōngmǎn mǎnzú gǎn.)

津5

2. Finger-licking good

• Definition: Describes food so delicious that one wants to lick their fingers after eating.
  津津yu
• Example:

  English: The barbecued ribs were finger-licking good, coated in a rich sauce.
  Chinese: 这些烤排骨真是美味，裹着浓郁的酱料，让人吃地津津有味。
  (Zhèxiē kǎo páigǔ zhēnshi měiwèi, guǒzhe nóngyù de jiàng liào, ràng rén chī de jīnjīnyǒuwèi.)
  津津yu

3. Melt in one’s mouth

• Definition: Describes food that is extremely tender, soft, or flavorful, making it dissolve effortlessly in one’s mouth.
  津津yu
• Example:
  English: The chocolate truffle melted in my mouth, releasing a burst of rich cocoa flavor.
  Chinese: 松露巧克力在我嘴里化开，浓厚的可可香气四溢，让人吃地津津有味。
  (Sōnglù qiǎokèlì zài wǒ zuǐ lǐ huà kāi, nónghòu de kěkě xiāngqì sìyì, ràng rén chī de jīnjīnyǒuwèi.)

津津yu

4. Eat with gusto

• Definition: To eat eagerly and with great enjoyment.
  津津gyu
• Example:
  English: After a long hike, he ate the bowl of instant noodles with gusto.
  Chinese: 长途徒步后，他津津有味地吃着这碗泡面，感受到无比的满足。
  (Chángtú túbù hòu, tā jīnjīn yǒu wèi de chīzhe zhè wǎn pào miàn., gǎnshòu dào wúbǐ de mǎnzú.)

津津有gyu

By learning 津津有味 alongside these English idioms, we not only deepen our understanding of its meaning but also build stronger connections between languages. When we associate idioms with real-life situations—like savoring a delicious meal or enjoying an engaging story—we make learning more intuitive and memorable.

This cross-linguistic approach enhances critical thinking, boosts memory retention, and makes the learning process more engaging and relatable. In the end, exploring these parallels offers a fun and effective way to bridge language and culture. More importantly, understanding how different languages express similar ideas helps us appreciate the nuances of communication, fostering a deeper cultural awareness.

By integrating bilingual learning into everyday experiences, we move beyond rote memorization and develop a natural sense for language in context. Whether through food, stories, or personal interactions, applying what we learn to real-life situations strengthens our ability to express ourselves fluently and confidently in both Chinese and English.

味 jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Chinese Example 华语例句 for 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi)

1. 老实说，有时候看着我的狗津津有味地吃着西莎狗饲料时，我也好想尝尝看。
   5
   (Lǎoshí shuō, yǒu shíhòu kànzhe wǒ de gǒu jīnjīnyǒuwèi de chīzhe xī shā gǒu sìliào shí, wǒ yě hǎo xiǎng cháng cháng kàn.)
   5
   I must confess that sometimes, when I see my dog eating her Cesar’s puppy chow with such relish, I’m tempted to have a taste too.
   jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chen
   味 jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chenyu
   
   5

2. 天哪，我家小孩津津有味地啃着他的橡皮擦，搞得像是世界上最好吃的零食一样。jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chenyu
   (Tiān nà, wǒ jiā xiǎohái jīnjīnyǒuwèi de kěnzhe tā de xiàngpícā, gǎo de xiàng shì shìjiè shàng zuì hǎochī de língshí yíyàng.)
   jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chenyu
   Oh dear, my kid is chewing on his eraser with such gusto, like it’s the most delicious snack in the world.

   津津有gyu

3. 我朋友津津有味地听着隔壁桌的八卦，比他点的牛排还要入迷。津津yu
   (Wǒ péngyǒu jīnjīnyǒuwèi de tīngzhe gébì zhuō de bāguà, bǐ tā diǎn de niúpái hái yào rùmí.)
   津津有gyu
   My friend is listening to the gossip from the next table with such relish—he’s more into it than his steak.

津津有gyu

By incorporating humor and relatable real-life scenarios, children can develop a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the Chinese idiom while staying engaged in the learning process.

Difficult idioms often feel intimidating, but when presented in a fun and memorable way, they become much easier to absorb. Laughter and curiosity help reinforce retention, allowing learners to naturally recall these expressions when encountering similar situations in the future.

More importantly, this approach transforms language learning from a tedious task into an enjoyable experience, fostering long-term motivation and a more positive attitude toward mastering Chinese.

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Related Chinese Idioms

To deepen your understanding, here are a few similar idioms 相似词:

• 兴味盎然 (xīng wèi àng rán): Describes something that is highly interesting, captivating, and full of charm.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu
  Example:
  Chinese: 他第一次吃榴梿时，表情从嫌弃到兴味盎然，最后还偷偷问能不能再来一块。
  (Tā dì yī cì chī liúlián shí, biǎoqíng cóng xiánqì dào xīngwèi àngrán, zuìhòu hái tōutōu wèn néng bùnéng zài lái yí kuài.)
  English translation: When he tried durian for the first time, his expression went from disgusted to fascinated, and in the end, he secretly asked if he could have another piece.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu
• 兴致勃勃 (xìng zhì bó bó): Describes someone who is full of enthusiasm and excitement about something.
  Chinese: 她兴致勃勃地报名了健身房，结果去了三天后，会员卡就变成了钱包装饰品。
  (Tā xìngzhì bóbó de bàomíng le jiànshēnfáng, jiéguǒ qù le sān tiān hòu, huìyuán kǎ jiù biàn chéng le qiánbāo zhuāngshìpǐn.)
  English translation: She enthusiastically signed up for a gym membership, but after three visits, her membership card became just another decoration in her wallet.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

And here is an opposing expression 相反词:

• 味同嚼蜡 (wèi tóng jiáo là): Describes something so dull or flavorless that it feels like chewing wax.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

  Example:
  Chinese: 他满怀期待地点了高级发式餐点，结果发现炫完技后，味道比白开水还要味同嚼蜡。
  (Tā mǎnhuái qídài dìdiǎnle gāojí fǎ shì cān diǎn, jiéguǒ fāxiàn xuàn wán jì hòu, wèidào bǐ báikāishuǐ hái yào wèitóngjiáolà.)
  English translation: He excitedly ordered a French high-end gourmet dish, only to realize that after all the fashionable and high-tech tricks, it tasted even more flavorless than tap water.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

• 枯燥無味 (kū zào wú wèi): Describes something that is extremely dull and uninteresting.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

  Example:
  Chinese: 老师在台上讲数学公式讲得口沫横飞，但其内容枯燥无味，搞得我只能盯着时钟，计算着还要多久才打下课钟。
  (Lǎoshī zài tái shàng jiǎng shùxué gōngshì jiǎng dé kǒu mò héng fēi, dàn qí nèiróng kūzàowúwèi, gǎo dé wǒ zhǐ néng dīngzhe shízhōng, jìsuànzhe hái yào duōjiǔ cái dǎ xiàkè zhōng.)
  English translation: The teacher was passionately explaining math formulas, but the content was so dull that I could only stare at the clock, calculating how much longer until the dismissal bell rang.

  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

• 索然無味 (suǒ rán wú wèi): Describes something completely uninteresting or lacking in excitement.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

  Example:
  Chinese: 电影宣传片看起来超级精彩，结果正片却索然无味，害我差点在电影院里睡着。
  (Diànyǐng xuānchuánpiàn kàn qǐlái chāojí jīngcǎi, jiéguǒ zhèngpiàn què suǒránwúwèi, hài wǒ chàdiǎn zài diànyǐngyuàn lǐ shuìzháo.)
  English translation: The movie trailer looked amazing, but the film was so boring that I almost fell asleep in the theater.

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

These terms provide a fuller understanding of the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) and how to describe the opposite situations.

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Learning Activities for Kids

Want to make learning this idiom even more memorable? Here are a few interactive learning activities:

• Watch the Draw-along Chengyu Video featuring Dim Sum Warriors’ cartoonist and teacher. Together, they bring the story of the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) to life through engaging visuals and interesting background stories. Let’s draw the characters, learn the meanings, and listen to the stories all at once!

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

NOTE: This content is exclusively for members. Not a member yet?  Sign up here and unlock a treasure trove of fun and educational materials.

Fun & 津津有味 Word-Matching Game：

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Objective: The objective of this game is to help Chinese learners, especially children or students, familiarize themselves with the structure and meanings of 叠字成语 (dié zì chéng yǔ, reduplicated idioms) such as 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi).

Through interactive word-matching, learners will better understand how reduplication enhances meaning in idioms, improve their vocabulary, and enhance their ability to recognize idioms in context. The game promotes teamwork, creative thinking, and reinforces memory retention in a fun and engaging way.

• jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1 . Prepare Materials:

• Write the idioms on separate strips of paper, ensuring you separate the 叠字 (dié zì) from the rest of the idiom. For example:
  • 【津津 (jīn jīn) 】
  • 【有味 (yǒu wèi)】
  • 【干干 (gān gān)】
  • 【净净 (jìng jìng)】
  • 【井井 (jǐng jǐng)】
  • 【有条 (yǒu tiáo)】
    …
    jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu
    
    津
• Lay all the paper strips on the table, ensuring the students can see the words clearly.
  津津 chengyu jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

2. Introduction:

• Begin by explaining the concept of 叠字成语 (dié zì chéng yǔ, reduplicated idioms) and how the repeated part of the idiom often enhances or emphasizes the meaning.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu
• Provide examples of idioms such as 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) and explain that 津 (jīn) means saliva but 津津 (jīn jīn) refers to drooling, and 有味 (yǒu wèi), when it connects with 津津 (jīn jīn),means flavorful or interesting, which together describe something very enjoyable.
  jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

  3. Form Teams:
  

• Divide the learners into teams (3-4 members per team works best).
• Explain the rules:
  • The teacher will say a set of 叠字 (dié zì), and the teams will pick the corresponding strip of paper from the table to match the correct Chinese idiom.
  • After selecting a strip, the team must explain the idiom’s meaning to earn points and prove they’re not guessing.
  • Continue the game until all the idioms are matched correctly.
  • The team with the most correct matches wins the game! 🎉
    津ngyujīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

4. At the end of the game, gather the students and briefly go over the idioms they learned, encouraging them to use these idioms in future conversations or writing exercises.

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

In this blog post, we’ve explored the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi), delving into its meaning and how it expresses enjoyment or relish in various contexts.

By understanding its meaning and examining examples of its use in both Chinese and English, we see that 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) can describe something that is particularly delightful, whether it’s savoring a delicious meal or enjoying an engaging activity. Through relatable examples and activities, we’ve brought this concept to life, making it easier to understand and apply in everyday situations.

Whether you’re learning Chinese or simply looking for similar usages in English, the Chinese idiom 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi) is more than just a phrase—it’s a gateway to appreciating the beauty of food and the joy of discovery. By incorporating idioms like these into your learning, you’ll find that language learning becomes much more entertaining and meaningful.

Hope you find this article 津津有味 (jīn jīn yǒu wèi)!

jīn jīn yǒu wèi Chinese idiom chengyu

Learn More Chengyus at: