How to Say ‘One elderly family member can't eat spicy food.’ in Simplified Chinese
一位老人不能吃辣。
yī wèi lǎo rén bù néng chī là
[ee way laow ren boo nung chir la]
🇨🇳 In China: This is clear and useful for restaurant staff, especially when explaining one person's restriction within a group. In practice, people often say this early so the kitchen can adjust dishes.
Phrase Breakdown
一位老人
yī wèi lǎo rén
an elderly person
A polite phrase referring to one older person.
一位老人坐在那儿。
An elderly person is sitting there.
Words in this phrase
一
yī
[ee]
one
The number 'one.' Here it is used to count one person politely.
我们这桌有一位老人不能吃辣。
At our table, one elderly person cannot eat spicy food.
位
wèi
[way]
measure word for people
A polite measure word for people, useful in restaurants and formal conversation.
有一位老人不能吃辣，请注意。
One elderly person cannot eat spicy food, please note that.
老人
lǎo rén
[laow ren]
elderly person; old person
Refers to an older person. In dining contexts, they may need milder food.
这位老人不能吃辣，请不要放辣椒。
This elderly person cannot eat spicy food, so please do not add chili.
不能吃辣
bù néng chī là
cannot eat spicy food
This states that the person should avoid spicy food.
他不能吃辣。
He cannot eat spicy food.
Words in this phrase
不能
bù néng
[boo nung]
cannot; not able to
Expresses inability or restriction. Here it states a food restriction.
孩子不能吃辣，也不能喝冰水。
The child cannot eat spicy food and also cannot drink ice water.
吃
chī
[chir]
to eat
Means 'to eat.' It is a key verb for discussing dietary needs.
她现在只能吃清淡的东西。
She can only eat light food now.
辣
là
[la]
spicy; hot
Describes food with chili heat. Often used when explaining spice tolerance.
这道汤不辣，老人可以放心吃。
This soup is not spicy, so the elderly person can eat it without worry.
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