「このクッキー何味？」
= Kono kukkii nani aji?
=What flavor is this cookie?
「ビーフ味！」
= Biifu aji!
= Beef flavor!
Hi everyone! Today’s guest teacher is Grotto Sensei. He’s a 2 year old Boston Terrier.
Many people mistake French bulldog and Boston Terrier. But like Grotto Sensei, they are slimmer than us.
Grotto Sensei has a nice cousin Emmett
⬇️
Ohhh how cute…. !heart3!
It looks like they are leading great dog lives.
じゃあ、Grotto先生、お願いします！
= Jaa Grotto Sensei onegai shimasu!
= OK, Grotto Sensei, please go ahead!
****************************************
Hi I’m Grotto. I’m your teacher today. 
Today‘s lesson is to build your vocabulary.
I will teach you all the taste related words and expressions.
⭐️ 味 = aji = taste
* 味が薄い = aji ga usui = not to have much taste
*味が濃い = aji ga koi = to have a strong flavor
*味がない= aji ga nai = to have no taste
You can describe flavors with 味 ( = aji)
Ex. 何味のポップコーンが好き？
= Naniaji no poppukoon ga suki?
= What flavor of popcorn do you like?
Ex. カレー味のポテトチップ
= Karee aji no potetochippu
= Curry flavored potato chips
⭐️ 隠し味 = kakushi aji = secret ingredient, hidden flavor
Ex. ここのラーメン屋は隠し味に北海道の昆布を入れています。
= Kokono raamen ya wa kakushiaji ni Hokkaidou no konbu wo irete imasu.
= They use dried kelp from Hokkaido as a secret ingredient.
⭐️風味 = fuumi = flavor, relish
Ex. わさび風味 = wasabi fuumi = wasabi flavored
*風味がある = fuumi ga aru = tasty, savory
*風味がない = fuumi ga nai = bland
* 風味がいい = fuumi ga ii= savory, flavorous
*風味が落ちる = fuumi ga ochiru =to lose flavor
⭐️味付け= ajitsuke = seasoned, flavored
Ex. 醤油で味付けをする
= Shoyu de ajitsuke wo suru
= to season with soy sauce
*味気（の）ない = ajike ( no ) nai = dull, flat, dreary
Ex. 味気ない生活 = ajikenai seikatsu = boring / dull life
⭐️後味= atoaji = aftertaste
* 後味がいい = atoaji ga ii = to leave a good aftertaste in one’s mouth
* 後味が悪い = atoaji ga warui = to leave a bad / disagreeable taste in one’s mouth
Ex. このワインは後味がすっきりしている
= Kono wain wa atoaji ga sukkiri shiteiru.
= This wine has a clean finish
➡️ We also use it to refer your uncomfortable feelings after experiencing something unpleasant.
Ex. この間、親友と些細なことで喧嘩したので後味が悪い。
= Kono aida, shinyuu to sasaina koto de kenka shita node atoaji ga warui.
= I had a fight over trifles with my best friend the other day and it left a uncomfortable taste in my mouth.
⭐️味わう = ajiwau = to taste, to appreciate
Ex. せっかく時間をかけて作った料理なのだから味わって食べてね。
= Sekkaku jikan wo kakete tsukutta ryouri nano dakara ajiwatte tabete ne.
= It took me a long time to cook, so please enjoy the taste.
➡️ to try, to experience, to enjoy, to suffer
Ex. 勝利を味わう
= Shouri wo ajiwau
= to enjoy a victory
Ex. 一度、ビジネスクラスの旅を味わうとなかなかエコノミークラスに戻れないかもしれない。
＝ Ichido, bijinesu kurasu no tabi wo ajiwau to nakanaka ekonomii kurasu ni modorenai kamo shirenai.
= Once I experience traveling in business class, it might be harder to travel in coach again.
Ex. 自分が痛みを味わらないと人の痛みはわからない。
= Jibun ga itami wo ajiwaranai to hito no itami wa wakaranai.
= If you have never had pain yourself, you won’t understand other people’s pain.
:ii: 味をしめる = aji wo shimeru = to acquire a taste, to come to know the taste of success, (When you once get to taste success.)
Ex. 友人にお金を貸したら味をしめて何度も借りにくる。
= Yuujin ni okane wo kashitara aji wo shimete nandomo karini kuru.
= I once lend money to my friend, he come to borrow money often.
⭐️ 味わい= ajiwai = flavor, tastes
*味わいがある= ajiwai ga aru = to be full of flavor,
*味わい豊か = ajiwai yutaka = rich taste, tasteful
Ex. 彼の絵は下手だがなにか味わいがある
= Kare no e wa heta daga nani ka ajiwai ga aru.
= His pictures are bad, but they’re somehow interesting.
*味見する= ajimi suru = to taste something
Ex. 味見させて
= Ajimi sasete!
= Let me taste it.
****************
Here are words that describe tastes. A lot of them have other meanings.
⬇️
⭐️甘い = amai = sweet
➡️ to be easy, to spoil, to indulge
Ex. 人生そんなに甘くない。
= Jinsei sonnani amakunai.
= Life is not that easy.
Ex. 考えが甘いよ。
= Kangae ga amai yo.
= It is so naive to think that way.
Ex. 彼女を甘くみてはいけない。
= Kanojo wo amaku mite wa ikenai.
= Don’t underestimate her.
Ex. 相手が子供だと思って甘くみていたら大変だ。
= Aite ga kodomo dato omotte amaku miteitara taihen da.
= If you underestimate them, thinking they are just children, you will regret it.
Ex. マギー先生はイケメンの生徒に甘い。 :)
= Maggie Sensei wa ikemen no seito ni amai.
= Maggie Sensei is easy on handsome students.
*( ~から）甘い汁を吸う
= ( ~kara) amai shiru wo suu
= to milk profits from someone / make a good thing out of something
*甘い関係 = amai kankei = sweet close relationship
*甘い言葉= amai kotoba =sweet words
Ex. 甘い言葉にひっかかってはいけない。
= Amai kotoba ni hikkakatte wa ikenai.
= Don’t be deceived by sweet words.
* 甘い声= amai koe = sweet voice
Ex.そんな甘い声を出してお願いしても無駄だよ。
= Sonna amai koe wo dashite onegai shite mo muda dayo.
= It won’t happen even if you beg me with that sweet voice.
*甘やかす = amayakasu = to spoil, to indulge
Ex. 子供を甘やかす親が多い。
= Kodomo wo amayakasu oya ga ooi.
= There many parents who spoil their children.
*甘ったるい= amattarui = too sweet, sugary(negative)
Ex. そんな甘ったるいやり方で部下に接したらなめられますよ。
= Sonna amattarui yarikata de buka ni sesshitara nameraremasu yo.
= You will be scoffed if you handle your subordinates in such a sugary way.
*甘口 = amakuchi = sweet (tastes)
Ex. 甘口カレー
= Amakuchi karee
= mild curry
⭐️辛い = からい= karai = spicy, hot
*辛口 = karakuchi = dry, salty
Ex. このワインは辛口だ。
= Kono wain wa karakuchi da.
= This wine is dry.
➡️ harsh, outspoken
Ex. 辛口評論家 = karakuchi hyouronka = harsh commentator
⭐️塩辛い = shiokarai = salty
➡️(more conversational/ dialect ) 塩っぱい ( = shioppai) / しょっぱい ( = shoppai)
⭐️酸っぱい = suppai = sour
*口を酸っぱくして言う
= Kuchi wo suppaku shiteiu
= to tell someone so many times
Ex. あれだけ口を酸っぱくして言ったのにまだ彼は授業中、携帯を切らない。
= Aredake kuchi wo suppaku shite itta noni mada kare wa jugyouchuu, keitai wo kiranai.
= No matter how many times I told him, he still doesn’t turn off his cellphone during the class.
⭐️甘酸っぱい = amazuppai = sweet-and-sour
*甘酸っぱい経験 = amazuppai keiken = a sweet-and-sour experience
Ex. 初恋の甘酸っぱい経験は誰にでもあるものだ。
= Hatsukoi no amazuppai keiken wa dare nidemo aru monoda.
= We all have sweet-and-sour experiences.
⭐️ 甘辛 い = amagarai= salty-sweet, spicy and sweet
(甘辛 = amakara)
⭐️苦い = nigai = bitter
*苦い経験 = nigai keiken = bitter experience
Ex. 人生の苦い経験から何かを学ばなくてはいけない。
= Jinsei no nigai keiken kara nanika wo manabanakutewa ikenai.
= We have to learn something from our own bitter experiences.
⭐️: ほろ苦い = horo nigai = slightly bitter, bitter-sweet
Ex. ほろ苦い思い出
= horonigai omoide.
= bitter sweet memory
⭐️渋い = shibui = bitter, astringent
Ex. このお茶は渋い。
= Kono ocha wa shibui.
= This tea is bitter.
*渋い顔 = shibui kao = sour face
Ex. 長いお休みを取ると上司に渋い顔をされる。
= Nagai oyasumi wo toru to joushi ni shibui kao wo sareru.
= My boss will put on a sour face if I take a long vacation.
➡️ stingy
Ex. 社長はお金に渋い。
= Shachou wa okane ni shibui.
= The president of my company is stingy.
➡️tasteful, quiet, low-keyed
Ex. その服、渋いね！
= Sono fuku, shibui ne!
= Your clothes are very classy.
(conservative, understated by in good tastes)
Ex. ジョージクルーニが好きなの？渋いね！
= Jouji Kuruunii ga suki nano? Shibui ne.
= You like Gorge Clooney? You have nice taste.
( This 渋い ( = shibui ) is one of the difficult words to translate.
We usually used this word to describe someone not too young but has a refined taste.)
Ex. 将棋が趣味なんて渋いね。
= Shougi ga shumi nante shibui ne.
= So you like playing “shougi” (Japanese chess)? That’s cool!
Note : 渋い趣味 = shibui shumi = classy and cool tastes (but not something young people would be interested in)
********************
⭐️ 美味しい= oishii = delicious
Ex. これ美味しいですね。
= Kore oishii desune.
= This is delicious, isn’t it?
( more casual )
Ex. これ美味しいね。
= Kore oishii ne.
= This is delicious, isn’t it?
⭐️旨い／うまい = umai = delicious, tasty
Ex. うまい！ ( male speech )
= Umai!
= Delicious!
********************
Other words that we use to describe tastes:
When you read a package of Japanese food or sweets, you will see these words often.
⭐️ あっさり
= assari
= light, plain
Ex. 何かあっさりしたものが食べたい。
= Nanika assari shita mono ga tabetai.
= I want to eat something light. ( not too heavy )
⭐️ さっぱり= sappari = refreshing, light
Ex. コーラかなにかさっぱりした物が飲みたい。
= Koora ka nanika sappari shita mono ga nomitai.
= I would like to drink something refreshing such as a cola.
⭐️こってり = kotteri = thick, heavy, rich
Ex. この豚骨ラーメンはこってりしている。
= Kono tonkotsu raamen wa kotteri shiteiru.
= This Pork Ramen (soup) is richly-texture.
⭐️ まろやか = maroyaka = mild
Ex. まろやかな酒 = maroyaka na sake = mild sake
⭐️ 濃厚 = noukou = heavy, thick
Ex. 濃厚なクリーム = noukou na kuriimu = rich cream
マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei
Grotto先生、ありがとう！
= Grotto Sensei, arigatou!
= Thank you, Grotto sensei!
ビーフ味のクッキー美味しかった？
= Biifu aji no kukkii oishikatta?
= Was the beef flavored cookie good?
今度はチキン味のクッキーがもらえるといいね。
= Kondo wa chikin aji no kukkii ga moraeru to iine.
= I hope you can get chicken flavored cookies the next time.
***
Will you be my Patron?
I appreciate your support! サポートありがとう！
24 Comments
Thanks Maggie sensei.
Very Useful !!!
Good! ☺️
Hello again, Maggie!
I’ve always wondered what 渋い tastes like. Somewhere (perhaps in a dictionary?) I read that 渋い is the taste of unripe persimmon (柿) fruit. Unfortunately, I’ve never had any occasion to taste persimmon fruit, let alone unripe persimmon fruit. Are there other things that taste 渋い? Maybe dry wine or strong black tea?
@Armadillomon
Hello, Armadillomon!
Good point! If you haven’t had persimmon, it might be hard to imagine the tastes.
渋い is also used to describe the taste of astringent red wine.
このワインは渋い(Kono wain wa shibui) ・渋味があるワイン(=shibumi ga aru wain)
Also strong green tea is often described 渋い
Thank you Maggie! That helped. I don’t like this taste very much.
＠Armadillomon
You’re welcome!
I’m Looking for an japanese-english dictionary android app which has audio. I’ve spent days looking for one but it’s just impossible for me. Could you please suggest me one??? (I prefer offline dictionary but online one is okie too)
@Masami
I don’t know much about android app.
If you follow me on Twitter, I can retweet your question. People can help you.
Ok, I will. Thanks for your reply :)
Dear Maggie Sensei,
Shitsumon ga arimasu.
– In supermarket, there is zone for taste free sampling food (lady or men give a little free food to customer). Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka.
– If they ask the customer to taste, what’ll they say? (Hitokuchi mimasu ka. or tabete mimasu ka.)
Many Thanks for your kind help in this matter. ^^
@yuyu
Hello yuyu,
Q In supermarket, there is zone for taste free sampling food (lady or men give a little free food to customer). Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka.
That section is called 試食コーナー(=shishoku kounaa) and food tasting is called 試食(=shishoku)
Q If they ask the customer to taste, what’ll they say? (Hitokuchi mimasu ka. or tabete mimasu ka.)
I think what you meant is 一口、食べてみますか？(=Hitokuchi tabete mimasuka)
Other typical phrases are,
Ex. もしよろしかったらお味見してみませんか？（Polite)
= Moshi yoroshikattara oajimi shite mimasenka?
= Would like to taste (this)?
Ex.どうぞお味見していって下さいね。
= Douzo oajimi shite itte kudasaine.
= Please taste this.
Ex.一口如何ですか？
= hitokuchi ikaga desuka?
= Would like a bite?
Hi, this is the first time I’ve come across a verb like 接せる (せっせる) which seems to have the small つ. (Sorry, don’t know the exact name for that). This must be pretty rare? Thanks
Toby
@Toby
I think it’s typo and it should be 接する (= せっする= sessuru) = to contact which is pretty common.
We call っ (小さい「つ」= chiisai tsu)
あ、嵐か。そうです。私は松本潤だけ、嵐には。でもやっぱかわいいね＾＾アイドル大体みんなかわいいけどさあ、特にジャニーズの。
リンクありがとう＾＾
そうですね。一番かっこいいよ(o^∀^o)マギー先生もゆかり先生も有名人の誰が好き？
えっと．．．し方は変かな。
聞かれたらね．．．こんな文法は難しよね。Sareu/saseru/reru/rareruとか余り使えない(T^T)そんなレッスンある？
＠メロ
好きな有名人？嵐、みんなかわいい〜♪
このレッスンで「させる／させられる」を一度勉強してみてね。
@Maggie
分かりましたかも(^-^)
初恋はとても素敵なものと思うわ。けど私恋のことならへんですよ。なんてゆーか、飽きっぽいかな。そして誰がホントに好きか分からなくてね。だから初恋のこと知らない。でも、男の誰が一番好きって聞いたら、ＫＡＴ−ＴＵＮの亀梨和也ですね(#^.^#)
(Please correct me whenever I’m wrong)
@メロ
メロは亀梨君が好きなのね〜かっこいいよね！❤
(OK,
私恋のことならへんですよ。→Hmmm どうやって言いたいのかなあ。 You wanted to say “My love is strange”? 私の恋は変ですよ。or The way I love people is different? 私の恋し方は変ですよ。
男の誰が一番好きって聞いたら→ 誰が一番好きな男性かって聞かれたら）
勉強になりました(o^^o)♪
ところで、
「 初恋の甘酸っぱい経験は誰にでもあるものだ」
これ初恋の苦いはどうちがいですか？ドラマとかで甘ずっぱいってよく聞くけどね、じまくで「Bittersweet」って書いているだから。
＠メロ
こんにちは、メロ！
面白い質問ですね。
初恋の経験にもよりますよ。
苦い経験 implies painful experience. Nothing sweet.
ほろ苦い経験 bittersweet. Not as hard as 苦い経験 but your hurts must have hurt in certain degree.
甘酸っぱい経験 sweet-sour implies some “sweet” experiences
メロの初恋はどれだった？ :)
Thanks for teaching. Also please analyze this Japanese phrase ‘Okaerinasai’ for ‘Welcome back’.
Arigato ! ^J^
@Bobby
Hello Bobby
Analyze “okaerinasai”?
お帰りなさい = okaerinasai = Welcome back home/or where you belong to (company, city, country, etc.)
It may sound a command form.
It is said that originally they used to say
「よくお帰りなさいました」
=yoku okaerinasai mashita.
= I am happy that you came back safely
and shortened the phrase
→お帰りなさい = okaerinasai
Or just say
お帰り= おかえり= okaeri
And the person who just came back home says
ただいま= tadaima
It is also a short way to say
ただいま帰りました。
= Tadaima kaerimashita
= I just got home / I’m back now.
Ha! また最初のコメントが俺様のものだ！ソレの後味がいいですね。。。 XD
このレッソンをありがとうございます！とてもいい参考になりました。
＠John
あっ、Johnまたコメント一番！！
いつも来てくれてありがとう！