1.
chewiness; crunchy texture; satisfying bite
The resistance or texture felt when biting into food; the satisfying sensation of chewing.
この野菜は歯応えがある。
These vegetables have a nice crunch.
アルデンテのパスタは歯応えがいい。
Al dente pasta has a good bite.
2.
challenge; satisfaction (figurative)
Something that provides resistance or challenge, making it worthwhile.
歯応えのある相手と対戦したい。
I want to compete against a challenging opponent.
WORD FORMATION:
歯 (tooth) + 応え (response) → response to teeth = chewiness
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 歯応えがある (has a good bite/is crunchy)
- 歯応えがいい (has a nice texture)
- 歯応えのある (chewy, crunchy; challenging)
RELATED ～応え WORDS:
- 読み応え (worth reading)
- 見応え (worth seeing)
- 聞き応え (worth listening to)
- 食い応え (filling, satisfying to eat)
USAGE NOTE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is common in competitive contexts, describing opponents or tasks that provide satisfying resistance.
Related Words
Related:
食感 (food texture)