Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Taste" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "taste", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
味
あじ (aji)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あくどい
あくどい (akudoi)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "taste" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 味 and あくどい.
In Japanese, 味 (あじ (aji)) is typically associated with "taste, flavor" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Refers to the sensory quality of food or drink. Can also refer to an 'experience' or 'feeling' in a figurative sense..
On the other hand, あくどい (あくどい (akudoi)) maps to "(taste) rich, heavy; (method) nasty, unscrupulous, cunning, crooked" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used for something. A literal translation of "taste" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "味"
この料理は良い味がします。
This dish tastes good.
Bilingual Context for "あくどい"
あの会社はあくどい商売をしていると評判だ。
That company has a reputation for doing unscrupulous business.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この料理は良い ＿＿＿ がします。" (Meaning: "This dish tastes good.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "味" fits here because it means "taste, flavor" in the context of: "This dish tastes good.". "あくどい" represents "(taste) rich, heavy; (method) nasty, unscrupulous, cunning, crooked".