Nuance & Usage
味 means taste or flavor. The five basic tastes in Japanese: 甘い (amai — sweet), 辛い (karai — spicy/salty), 酸っぱい (suppai — sour), 苦い (nigai — bitter), 塩辛い (shiokarai — salty). Common expressions: 味がする (has a taste/flavor), 味をつける (season/add flavor), 味見をする (taste-test), 味がしない (tasteless). Figuratively, 味がある (aji ga aru) means "has character/charm" beyond food context.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 味 (taste) with 匂い (nioi — smell/scent). These are related in eating experience but distinct: 味がする = has a taste; 匂いがする = has a smell. In cooking, 調味料 (choumiryou — seasonings/condiments) are used to add 味 to food. Also: 味わう (ajiwau) is the verb meaning "to savor/taste," which is more deliberate/appreciative than just 食べる.
Example Sentences (3)
この料理の味はどうですか？
このりょうりのあじはどうですか？
How does this dish taste?
塩を少し足したら、味がよくなりました。
しおをすこしたしたら、あじがよくなりました。
Adding a little salt improved the flavor.
この店のラーメンはやさしい味でとても好きです。
このみせのらーめんはやさしいあじでとてもすきです。
I really like the gentle, mild flavor of the ramen at this restaurant.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N44 questionsTest your knowledge of 味 with 4 different question types.
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