歯応(はごた)え

はごたえ
noun
chewiness; crunchy texture; bite
fooddescriptive
1. chewiness; crunchy texture; satisfying bite
The resistance or texture felt when biting into food; the satisfying sensation of chewing.
この野菜(やさい)は歯応(はごた)えがある。
These vegetables have a nice crunch.
アルデンテのパスタは歯応(はごた)えがいい。
Al dente pasta has a good bite.
このせんべいは歯応(はごた)えがあって美味(おい)しい。
This rice cracker has a satisfying crunch and is delicious.
2. challenge; satisfaction (figurative)
Something that provides resistance or challenge, making it worthwhile.
歯応(はごた)えのある相手(あいて)と対戦(たいせん)したい。
I want to compete against a challenging opponent.
この仕事(しごと)は歯応(はごた)えがある。
This job is a real challenge.
歯応(はごた)えのある問題(もんだい)に取(と)り組(く)みたい。
I want to tackle a challenging problem.

Forms

歯(は) (tooth) + 応(こた)え (response) → response to teeth = chewiness

Common expressions

  • 歯応(はごた)えがある (has a good bite/is crunchy)
  • 歯応(はごた)えがいい (has a nice texture)
  • 歯応(はごた)えのある (chewy, crunchy; challenging)

RELATED ～応(ごた)え WORDS:

Usage

The figurative sense (sense 2) is common in competitive contexts, describing opponents or tasks that provide satisfying resistance.

Related Words

Related: 食感(しょっかん) (food texture)
Related: 手応(てごた)え (response, feedback)
Related: 読(よ)み応(ごた)え (worth reading)
Related: 見応(みごた)え (worth seeing)
Related: 聞(き)き応(ごた)え (worth listening to)
Related: 舌触(したざわ)り (texture (in mouth))
general
Added 2026.1.19 12:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07272_hagotae