Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "味", "味わう", "あくどい", "嗜好", "味蕾"
All represent the core concept "taste", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
味
あじ (aji)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
味わう
あじわう (ajiwau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
あくどい
あくどい (akudoi)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
嗜好
しこう (shikō)
N1 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
味蕾
みらい (mirai)
C2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "taste" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "味", "味わう", "あくどい", "嗜好", "味蕾" based on context.
- 味 (あじ (aji) - Level: N4): Maps to "taste, flavor" and is used when Refers to the sensory quality of food or drink. Can also refer to an 'experience' or 'feeling' in a figurative sense..
- 味わう (あじわう (ajiwau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to taste; to savor; to experience" and is used when Primarily means to taste food, but can also mean to experience or appreciate something.
- あくどい (あくどい (akudoi) - Level: N2): Maps to "(taste) rich, heavy; (method) nasty, unscrupulous, cunning, crooked" and is used when Used for something.
- 嗜好 (しこう (shikō) - Level: N1): Maps to "taste; liking; preference (especially for food, drink, or hobbies)" and is used when Refers to one's preferences or tastes, often in a more general or psychological sense than 「好み.
- 味蕾 (みらい (mirai) - Level: C2): Maps to "taste bud" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "味"
この料理は良い味がします。
This dish tastes good.
Context for "味わう"
ゆっくりワインの味を味わった。
I slowly savored the taste of the wine.
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.
Context for "嗜好"
個人の嗜好に合わせて商品を選ぶ。
Choose products according to personal preferences.
Context for "味蕾"
私は味蕾に興味があります。
I am interested in taste bud.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "taste, flavor" in the context: "This dish tastes good.".