匙加減(さじかげん)

さじかげん
noun
amount; discretion; degree of adjustment
cookingevaluation
1. amount added by spoon; seasoning amount
The amount of something measured or added by a spoon, especially in cooking.
塩(しお)の匙加減(さじかげん)が大切(たいせつ)だ。
The amount of salt you add is important.
味(あじ)の匙加減(さじかげん)は経験(けいけん)で覚(おぼ)える。
You learn seasoning through experience.
調味料(ちょうみりょう)の匙加減(さじかげん)を間違(まちが)えた。
I got the amount of seasoning wrong.
2. discretion; degree of adjustment; subtle control
The degree of adjustment or flexibility applied when handling something; using one's judgment to fine-tune something.
匙加減(さじかげん)ひとつで結果(けっか)が変(か)わる。
The result changes depending on how you handle it.
罰則(ばっそく)の匙加減(さじかげん)は難(むずか)しい。
It's difficult to calibrate penalties appropriately.
現場(げんば)の匙加減(さじかげん)に任(まか)せている。
We leave it to the discretion of those on the ground.

Common expressions

  • 匙加減(さじかげん)が難(むずか)しい: hard to get the balance right
  • 匙加減(さじかげん)ひとつで: depending entirely on how it is handled
  • 匙加減(さじかげん)に任(まか)せる: to leave it to someone's discretion

Etymology

  • Originally a physician measuring out a dose of medicine with a spoon. From there it came to mean seasoning in cooking and, figuratively, the discretion someone exercises. In sense 2 it often hints that the outcome depends on one person's judgment rather than clear rules (上司(じょうし)の匙加減(さじかげん)一(ひと)つ).

Related Words

Compare: さじを投(な)げる (to give up)
general
Added 2026.1.31 8:09 · Revised 2026.9.30 2:25
09000/09046_sajikagen