21
味
Taste, Flavor
あじ (aji), あじわう (ajiwau)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
🧂 For centuries, people believed there were only four basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. In 1908, Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda noticed that the rich flavor of kombu seaweed broth couldn't be explained by any of them. After months of research, he discovered a completely new taste and named it umami. Today, umami is recognized around the world as the fifth basic taste.
Memory Trick
The left side is a mouth (口), while the right side looks like a small tree. One liner : Taste of small tree in mouth is bitter.
Readings
Onyomi: ミ (mi)
Kunyomi: あじ (aji), あじわう (ajiwau)
Example Words
味
あじ (aji)
Taste
意味
いみ (imi)
Meaning
味見
あじみ (ajimi)
Taste test
趣味
しゅみ (shumi)
Hobby
Example Sentence
この 料理は 味が いいです。
この りょうりは あじが いいです。
kono ryouri wa aji ga ii desu
This dish tastes good.