Translation and Meaning of: 味 - aji

If you've ever tried an authentic Japanese dish, you know that 味[あじ] (aji) goes far beyond just "taste" or "flavor." This word carries cultural and even philosophical nuances, making it essential for understanding cuisine and even everyday expressions in Japan. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin of the kanji to how the Japanese use 味 in unexpected contexts — such as subtle compliments or disguised criticisms. And if you're studying Japanese, you'll love the memorization tips and practical examples we've gathered, perfect for adding to your Anki or spaced repetition method.

The Kanji 味 and Its Curious Origin

The character 味 is a visually logical combination: the radical 口 (mouth) on the left and 未 (not yet, future) on the right. Together, they suggest something like "what the mouth has not yet experienced" — a reference to the anticipation of taste. Interestingly, in ancient China, this kanji was also associated with the concept of "discernment," as tasting involves refined perception.

In Japanese writing, the upper horizontal stroke of 未 should not touch the mouth radical, a detail that confuses many students. A trick? Imagine that the mouth is waiting for the flavor to arrive, but there is still a space of expectation. This same kanji appears in words like 意味 (meaning) and 趣味 (hobby), always with the idea of "deep appreciation."

How the Japanese Use 味 in Daily Life

In restaurants, hearing "味が薄い" (aji ga usui) means that the dish is bland — literally "weak flavor." But be careful: saying "味が濃い" (aji ga koi) can be a compliment ("intense flavor") or a criticism ("exaggerated"), depending on the tone. Japanese people also use 味 metaphorically, as in 人生の味 (sabor da vida), to talk about experiences that "leave a taste."

A delicious expression is 味を占める (aji o shimeru), which means "to develop a taste for something" after a positive first experience. For example, if someone wins the lottery and plays again, they say 味を占めた. It's like an addiction to something tasty — in both a literal and figurative sense.

Tips for Memorizing and Not Getting Mixed Up

Anyone studying Japanese has likely stumbled upon 味 and 足 (ashi, foot), as the pronunciations "aji" and "ashi" sound similar. An infallible technique is to associate the radical 口 with "food": if there’s a mouth, it’s flavor! Another common trick is writing the kanji with the stroke of 未 crossing over the mouth — remember that the Japanese palate values balance, even in calligraphy.

To solidify your knowledge, create flashcards with images of memorable dishes you have tried. Write phrases like "このラーメンの味は忘れられない" (the flavor of this ramen is unforgettable). Associating kanji with real taste memories activates more areas of the brain, according to studies on language learning.

Have you noticed how even sake advertisements in Japan use 味 to describe notes of almond or red fruits? This kanji is a gateway not only to the language but also to understanding how the Japanese taste the world. Next time you try a おにぎり, pay attention to the 味 — it may tell you a story.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 味わい (ajiwai) - Taste experience, appreciation of flavor.
• 風味 (fūmi) - Flavor, taste characteristic; it can refer to distinct aromas.
• 味覚 (mikaku) - Sense of taste, perception of flavor.
• 味わう (ajiwau) - Taste, savor; the act of experiencing flavor.
• 味付け (ajitsuke) - Seasoning, the act of adding flavor to a dish.
• 味わい深い (ajiwai fukai) - Depth of flavor; something that has a complex and rich taste.
• 味わい方 (ajiwai kata) - Tasting mode; ways to enjoy different flavors.
• 味わい豊かな (ajiwai yutakana) - Rich in flavor; something that is full of different tastes.
• 味わいのある (ajiwai no aru) - Rich in flavor, it can refer to dishes or ingredients that provide an interesting taste experience.
• 味わいのある料理 (ajiwai no aru ryōri) - Dish rich in flavor; a food preparation that has a distinct taste.
• 味わいのある食材 (ajiwai no aru shokuzai) - Flavor-rich ingredients; components that provide a remarkable tasting experience.
• 味わいのある飲み物 (ajiwai no aru nomimono) - Rich-flavored drinks; liquids that provide an interesting tasting experience.
• 味わいのある酒 (ajiwai no aru sake) - Liquor rich in flavor; a subcategory that refers to alcoholic beverages with a distinct taste profile.
• 味わいのあるコーヒー (ajiwai no aru kōhī) - Rich in flavor coffee; refers to a coffee preparation with a complex taste profile.
• 味わいのある紅茶 (ajiwai no aru kōcha) - Rich black tea; refers to varieties of black tea that offer an interesting flavor palette.
• 味わいのあるチーズ (ajiwai no aru chīzu) - Cheese rich in flavor; varieties of cheese that are appreciated for their complex taste.
• 味わいのあるスパイス (ajiwai no aru supaisu) - Rich in flavor spices; powders or blends that provide distinct flavors to dishes.
• 味わいのある香り (ajiwai no aru kaori) - Rich in flavor aroma; fragrances that evoke a strong taste experience.
• 味わいのある料理人 (ajiwai no aru ryōrinin) - Flavorful chef; a cook whose food is known for its distinctive taste.

味

Romaji: aji
Kana: あじ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: flavor; taste

Meaning in English: flavor;taste

Definition: The unique characteristics and flavors of foods and drinks.

Example Sentences - (味) aji

See below some example sentences:

温室で育てた野菜は美味しいです。

Onshitsu de sodateta yasai wa oishii desu

Greenhouse-grown vegetables are delicious.

The vegetables grown in the greenhouse are delicious.

• 温室 - greenhouse
• で - in
• 育てた - cultivated
• 野菜 - vegetables
• は - is
• 美味しい - delicious
• です - it is

炙った肉は美味しかったです。

Aburutta niku wa oishikatta desu

The meat that was grilled was delicious.

The roasted meat was delicious.

• 炙った (aburatta) - grilled
• 肉 (niku) - noun that means "meat"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美味しかった (oishikatta) - verb in the past meaning "it was delicious"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating the formality of the sentence

果物はとても美味しいです。

Kudamono wa totemo oishii desu

The fruits are very delicious.

The fruits are very delicious.

• 果物 (kudamono) - fruits
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美味しい (oishii) - tasty, delicious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

意外と美味しいですね。

Igai to oishii desu ne

Surprisingly

It's surprisingly delicious.

• 意外と - unexpectedly
• 美味しい - delicious
• です - is
• ね - NÃO É?

彼女は疲れ気味だ。

Kanojo wa tsukaregimi da

She looks tired.

She is tired.

• 彼女 - Japanese pronoun meaning "she"
• は - Japanese particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "she"
• 疲れ - Japanese noun meaning "tiredness"
• 気味 - Japanese suffix indicating a condition or tendency, in this case, "a little"
• だ - Japanese verb meaning "to be" or "to be", in this case in the present tense

心理学は興味深いです。

Shinrigaku wa kyoumi fukai desu

Psychology is interesting.

Psychology is interesting.

• 心理学 - Psychology
• は - Topic particle
• 興味深い - interesting
• です - verb to be in the polite form

宴会には美味しい料理と楽しい会話が欠かせない。

Enkai ni wa oishii ryouri to tanoshii kaiwa ga kakasenai

Em um banquete

Delicious food and fun conversation are must-haves for banquets.

• 宴会 (えんかい) - banquet/party
• には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
• 美味しい (おいしい) - delicious
• 料理 (りょうり) - culinary/food
• と - particle indicating the connection between two things
• 楽しい (たのしい) - fun
• 会話 (かいわ) - conversation
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 欠かせない (かかせない) - essential/necessary

塩を加えると味が良くなる。

Shio wo kuwaeru to aji ga yoku naru

Adding salt improves the taste.

Add salt to improve the taste.

• 塩 (しお) - salt
• を - direct object particle
• 加える (くわえる) - add
• と - conditional particle
• 味 (あじ) - flavor
• が - subject particle
• 良くなる (よくなる) - To improve

地理はとても興味深い学問です。

Chiri wa totemo kyoumi fukai gakumon desu

Geography is a very interesting subject.

Geography is a very interesting study.

• 地理 - geography
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 興味深い - interesting
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

哲学は人生の意味を探求する学問です。

Tetsugaku wa jinsei no imi o tankyū suru gakumon desu

Philosophy is the study that seeks the meaning of life.

Philosophy is a study that explores the meaning of life.

• 哲学 - philosophy
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - human life
• の - Possession particle
• 意味 - Meaning
• を - direct object particle
• 探求する - investigate, explore
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present