うまい

adjective (i-adjective)

delicious; skillful; fortunate

1. delicious, tasty

Describes food or drink that tastes good. More casual and masculine than おいしい.

このラーメンはうまい！

This ramen is delicious!

Casual, often used by men

この店(みせ)の魚(さかな)はうまい。

The fish at this restaurant is delicious.

冷(つめ)たいビールがうまい季節(きせつ)になった。

It's become the season when cold beer tastes great.

2. skillful, good at

Describes skill or proficiency at doing something.

彼(かれ)は絵(え)がうまい。

He's good at drawing.

Skill meaning

彼女(かのじょ)は歌(うた)がうまい。

She's good at singing.

うまく説明(せつめい)できない。

I can't explain it well.

Adverbial form うまく

3. fortunate, convenient, going well

Describes a situation that works out favorably.

うまくいけば、来月(らいげつ)完成(かんせい)する。

If things go well, it will be completed next month.

Adverbial form showing 'going well'

そんなうまい話(はなし)はない。

There's no such convenient deal. / It's too good to be true.

Fixed expression

計画(けいかく)がうまくいった。

The plan went well.

うまくいく = to go well

うまい is an i-adjective with three main meanings: 'delicious,' 'skillful,' and 'fortunate/convenient.'

Forms:

Conjugation:

Similar words:

うまい vs. おいしい: Both mean 'delicious,' but うまい is more casual and traditionally masculine. おいしい is neutral and polite.
うまい vs. 上手(じょうず): Both describe skill. うまい is more casual; 上手(じょうず) is a na-adjective and more formal.

[Register: Casual]

Orthography: Usually written in hiragana. The kanji 旨(うま)い or 美味(うま)い exist but are less common.

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