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Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "味", "味わう", "あくどい", "風情", "嗜好"

All represent the core concept "taste", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

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

風情

ふぜい (fuzei)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E

嗜好

しこう (shikō)
N1 / 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", "風情", "嗜好" based on context.
  • (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.
  • 風情 (ふぜい (fuzei) - Level: N2): Maps to "taste, elegance, charm, atmosphere, ambience" and is used when Refers to the aesthetic quality, charm, or atmosphere that evokes a sense of beauty, tranquility, or nostalgia, often related to traditional Japanese aesthetics..
  • 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.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
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 "風情"
雪が降る中で露天風呂に入るのは、また格別の風情がある。
Taking an open-air bath while it's snowing has a truly special charm.
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.

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.".

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