Five basic tastes
Word sets, Stage 2chunk 20 of 21Tastes and textures
Say whether food is sweet, spicy, bitter, sour or salty.
Mix-ups karai means spicy, but in western Japan also salty; shoppai is the eastern word for salty.
amai
polite amai desu
sweet; soft on someone
Second sense: kodomo ni amai = soft on the kids.
amai mono = sweets; amai mono ga suki = I have a sweet tooth.
kore, chotto amasugiru kamo.
This might be a bit too sweet.
これ、ちょっと甘すぎるかも。
kore wa chotto amasugiru kamo shiremasen.
This may be a little too sweet.
これはちょっと甘すぎるかもしれません。
Written 甘い · あまい · 甘いですRank #818 in 3,030 TV dramas
karai
polite karai desu
spicy (hot)
Chilli heat; hot in temperature is atsui.
In western Japan it can also mean salty.
kore karai? taberareru kana.
Is this spicy? Wonder if I can eat it.
これ辛い？食べられるかな。
kore wa karai desu ka?
Is this spicy?
これは辛いですか？
Written 辛い · からい · 辛いですRank #3481 in 3,030 TV dramas
nigai
polite nigai desu
bitter
Also for experiences: nigai omoide = a bitter memory.
Don't confuse with nigate (bad at; not a fan of).
kono koohii, chotto nigasugiru.
This coffee is a bit too bitter.
このコーヒー、ちょっと苦すぎる。
kono koohii wa chotto nigasugimasu.
This coffee is a little too bitter.
このコーヒーはちょっと苦すぎます。
Written 苦い · にがい · 苦いですRank #6494 in 3,030 TV dramas
suppai
polite suppai desu
sour
kono ichigo, mada suppai ne.
These strawberries are still sour.
このいちご、まだ酸っぱいね。
kono ichigo wa mada suppai desu ne.
These strawberries are still sour, aren't they.
このいちごはまだ酸っぱいですね。
Written 酸っぱい · すっぱい · 酸っぱいですRank #10596 in 3,030 TV dramas
shoppai
polite shoppai desu
salty
The everyday word for too salty, mainly in eastern Japan.
Also slang for lame or disappointing.
kono suupu, chotto shoppakunai?
Isn't this soup a bit salty?
このスープ、ちょっとしょっぱくない？
kono suupu, sukoshi shoppai desu ne.
This soup is a little salty.
このスープ、少ししょっぱいですね。
Written しょっぱい · しょっぱいですRank #7991 in 3,030 TV dramas