1.
spiciness; pungency; hot flavor
The hot, sharp, or pungent taste sensation produced by ingredients like chili peppers, wasabi, ginger, and pepper. One of the basic taste components in Japanese cuisine.
わさびの辛味が鼻に抜ける。
The spiciness of the wasabi hits the nose.
この料理は辛味が強すぎて食べられない。
This dish is too spicy for me to eat.
唐辛子の辛味と味噌の甘さがうまく調和して、深い味わいになっている。
The spiciness of the chili pepper and the sweetness of the miso harmonize well, creating a deep flavor.
Derived from the adjective 辛い (spicy, hot) with the suffix ~み indicating a quality or degree of that taste.
Japanese distinguishes between different types of 辛味: the burning heat of 唐辛子 (chili pepper), the sharp nasal punch of わさび (wasabi), the warmth of 生姜 (ginger), and the bite of 胡椒 (pepper).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 辛味が強い (strongly spicy)
- 辛味を加える (to add spiciness)
- 辛味を抑える (to tone down the spiciness)
- 辛味調味料 (spicy condiment)
- 辛味大根 (spicy daikon radish)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 辛さ: spiciness (emphasizes degree; 辛味 emphasizes the quality of the flavor itself)
- 甘味: sweetness (parallel construction for a different taste)