塩梅(あんばい)

あんばい
noun
seasoning; condition; state; manner
foodevaluation
1. seasoning; flavor balance
Originally referred to the balance of salt and plum vinegar in cooking. Now used more broadly for the balance of seasonings and taste.
塩(しお)の塩梅(あんばい)がちょうどいい。
The salt seasoning is just right.
味(あじ)の塩梅(あんばい)を見(み)ながら調味料(ちょうみりょう)を足(た)す。
Add seasonings while checking the flavor balance.
いい塩梅(あんばい)に焼(や)けた。
It cooked to just the right degree.
2. condition; state; manner; way
Extended to describe the general state or condition of something, how something is going, or the way something is done.
いい塩梅(あんばい)に焼(や)けた。
It cooked to just the right degree.
体(からだ)の塩梅(あんばい)はどうですか。
How is your physical condition?
仕事(しごと)の塩梅(あんばい)が悪(わる)くて困(こま)っている。
Things aren't going well at work and I'm having a hard time.
天気(てんき)の塩梅(あんばい)を見(み)て出(で)かけるかどうか決(き)めよう。
Let's decide whether to go out depending on how the weather looks.

Etymology

塩(えん) (salt) + 梅(ばい) (ume, for plum vinegar): originally the seasoning of salt and plum vinegar, read えんばい. The reading merged with 按排(あんばい) (arranging things well), which gave the word its sense 2.

Writing

Also written as 按排(あんばい) or 按配(あんばい) when emphasizing the "arrangement" meaning.

Common expressions

  • いい塩梅(あんばい) - just right, in good condition
  • 塩梅(あんばい)を見(み)る - to check the condition/seasoning
  • 塩梅(あんばい)が悪(わる)い - in poor condition
  • いい塩梅(あんばい)に - just right, moderately
general
Added 2026.1.20 17:17 · Revised 2026.10.13 4:41
07500/07503_anbai