Readings: ミ (Onyomi), あじ, あじ.わう (Kunyomi)
Meaning: taste, flavor
The kanji 味 combines 口 (kuchi), meaning ‘mouth’, and 未 (mi), which serves as a phonetic component and can subtly suggest something delicate or not fully developed, hinting at the nuanced nature of taste or flavor.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 味 consists of 8 strokes. It begins with the 口 (mouth) radical on the left, followed by 未 on the right. Pay close attention to the correct order and direction of each stroke for proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 (くち) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ミ (MI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- あじ (aji)
Common Words Using 味
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 意味 | いみ | meaning |
| 趣味 | しゅみ | hobby |
| 興味 | きょうみ | interest |
| 調味料 | ちょうみりょう | seasoning |
| 甘味料 | かんみりょう | sweetener |
| 風味 | ふうみ | flavor, aroma |
| 気味 | きみ | feeling, sensation (e.g., 疲れ気味 – feeling tired) |
| 辛味 | しんみ | spicy taste |
| 苦味 | にがみ | bitter taste |
| 酸味 | さんみ | sour taste |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 味 | あじ | taste, flavor |
| 味わう | あじわう | to taste, to savor |
| 味見 | あじみ | tasting (of food) |
| 味付け | あじつけ | seasoning, flavoring |
| 後味 | あとあじ | aftertaste |
| 薄味 | うすあじ | light taste, bland taste |
| 濃い味 | こいあじ | strong taste, rich taste |
| 塩味 | しおあじ | salty taste |
| 甘い味 | あまいあじ | sweet taste |
| 苦い味 | にがいあじ | bitter taste |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この料理は味が薄いですね。
Kana: このりょうりはあじがうすいですね。
Romaji: Kono ryōri wa aji ga usui desu ne.
English: This dish has a bland taste, doesn’t it?
Japanese: 彼は読書が趣味です。
Kana: かれはどくしょがしゅみです。
Romaji: Kare wa dokusho ga shumi desu.
English: His hobby is reading.
Japanese: このワインをゆっくり味わってください。
Kana: このワインをゆっくりあじわってください。
Romaji: Kono wain o yukkuri ajiwatte kudasai.
English: Please savor this wine slowly.
Japanese: その言葉の意味が分かりません。
Kana: そのことばのいみがわかりません。
Romaji: Sono kotoba no imi ga wakarimasen.
English: I don’t understand the meaning of that word.
Japanese: 私は辛い味が好きです。
Kana: わたしはからいあじがすきです。
Romaji: Watashi wa karai aji ga suki desu.
English: I like spicy flavors.
Japanese: このスープは味付けが完璧です。
Kana: このスープはあじつけがかんぺきです。
Romaji: Kono sūpu wa ajitsuke ga kanpeki desu.
English: The seasoning of this soup is perfect.
Japanese: 日本の文化にとても興味があります。
Kana: にほんのぶんかにとてもきょうみがあります。
Romaji: Nihon no bunka ni totemo kyōmi ga arimasu.
English: I am very interested in Japanese culture.
Japanese: このコーヒーは少し苦味があります。
Kana: このコーヒーはすこしにがみがあります。
Romaji: Kono kōhī wa sukoshi nigami ga arimasu.
English: This coffee has a slightly bitter taste.
Japanese: 料理を作る前に味見をしました。
Kana: りょうりをつくるまえにあじみをしました。
Romaji: Ryōri o tsukuru mae ni ajimi o shimashita.
English: I tasted the food before cooking it.
Japanese: このお菓子は甘味料を使っています。
Kana: このおかしはかんみりょうをつかっています。
Romaji: Kono okashi wa kanmiryō o tsukatte imasu.
English: This snack uses artificial sweeteners.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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