够味 (gòu wèi) literally means 'enough flavor' — 够 (gòu) meaning 'sufficient' or 'enough', and 味 (wèi) meaning 'taste' or 'flavor'. But in practice, it’s not about mere adequacy; it conveys a rich, intense, satisfying sensory experience — especially in food, but also extending to music, performances, or personalities that feel vivid, authentic, and deeply engaging. It carries a positive, appreciative connotation, suggesting something has the right depth or character to be truly memorable.

The phrase is commonly used in informal spoken Chinese and carries a warm, colloquial tone. It often implies contrast with blandness or superficiality — for example, praising a spicy Sichuan dish as 够味 highlights its bold seasoning and complexity. While originally food-related, modern usage embraces non-culinary contexts too: a jazz solo can be 够味, or even a witty, no-nonsense friend might be described that way — implying charisma and substance.