<p>When referring to food, "清淡" means <em>"low-salt, low-fat, less sugar, less meat, low cholesterol, non-alcoholic and not spicy"</em>. </p>

<p>In a wide sense,it does mean light and simple food, no fried-no barbecue-less edible oil; In a narrow sense, it is related to the Chinese culture which is very intriguing and complex to explain.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-08T10:41:10.563Z
2012-04-09T12:43:11.147Z
2012-04-09T12:43:11.147Z
Hamster SSi
<p>These words are related to the Chinese culture.</p>

<p>Tea have been thought of <code>qing dan</code>, but coffee is reverse. Vegetable been thought of <code>qing dan</code>, but meat is not.</p>

<p>In traditional culture all these stuff like eat vegetables, drink tea, no sexual life, no smoke and no wine are be seen as <code>Qing</code>. </p>

<p>Before, some people thought it can make themself live long.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-08T07:10:05.477Z
2012-04-08T14:26:50.593Z
2012-04-08T14:26:50.593Z
Scott混合理论
<p>Most of the time, it refers to food as low-salt, low-fat, less sugar, less meat, low cholesterol, non-alcoholic and not spicy. Seldom for other usage, do not make things complicated. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-09T02:47:28.287Z
2012-04-09T12:42:43.470Z
2012-04-09T12:42:43.470Z
GoYun.Info
<p>It's written as 清淡 and used in different contexts.</p>

<ol>
<li>For light colors, smells</li>
<li>For light (non-greasy, non-oily) food</li>
<li>Business running slow or slacking</li>
<li>In arts for a simple style</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-04-08T06:20:03.493Z
2012-04-08T06:20:03.493Z
BertR
<p>I ate with a Chinese who mentioned the soup was <code>清淡 (qing dan)</code>: clear, and bland. On Google all I found were acupuncture and "macrobiotic diet" websites.</p>

<p>Is <code>清淡 (qing dan)</code> an adjective commonly applied to food that is simple and light, or is it reserved for food from a special diet?</p>

<meaning>
清淡 (qing dan) usage: any food, or from a diet?
# 清淡 (qing dan) usage: any food, or from a diet?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-04-08)

I ate with a Chinese who mentioned the soup was `清淡 (qing dan)`: clear, and bland. On Google all I found were acupuncture and "macrobiotic diet" websites.

Is `清淡 (qing dan)` an adjective commonly applied to food that is simple and light, or is it reserved for food from a special diet?

**Tags:** meaning

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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2012-04-08. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

It's written as 清淡 and used in different contexts.

1. For light colors, smells
2. For light (non-greasy, non-oily) food
3. Business running slow or slacking
4. In arts for a simple style


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### Answer by username_1 on 2012-04-08. Score: 3

When referring to food, "清淡" means *"low-salt, low-fat, less sugar, less meat, low cholesterol, non-alcoholic and not spicy"*.

In a wide sense,it does mean light and simple food, no fried-no barbecue-less edible oil; In a narrow sense, it is related to the Chinese culture which is very intriguing and complex to explain.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-04-08. Score: 1

These words are related to the Chinese culture.

Tea have been thought of `qing dan`, but coffee is reverse. Vegetable been thought of `qing dan`, but meat is not.

In traditional culture all these stuff like eat vegetables, drink tea, no sexual life, no smoke and no wine are be seen as `Qing`.

Before, some people thought it can make themself live long.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2012-04-09. Score: 0

Most of the time, it refers to food as low-salt, low-fat, less sugar, less meat, low cholesterol, non-alcoholic and not spicy. Seldom for other usage, do not make things complicated.


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