辛味(からみ)

からみ
noun
spiciness; pungency; hot flavor
food
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(からみ)が鼻(はな)に抜(ぬ)ける。
The spiciness of the wasabi hits the nose.
この料理(りょうり)は辛味(からみ)が強(つよ)すぎて食(た)べられない。
This dish is too spicy for me to eat.
唐辛子(とうがらし)の辛味(からみ)と味噌(みそ)の甘(あま)さがうまく調和(ちょうわ)して、深(ふか)い味(あじ)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(から)い (spicy, hot) with the suffix ～み indicating a quality or degree of that taste.

Japanese distinguishes between different types of 辛味(からみ): the burning heat of 唐辛子(とうがらし) (chili pepper), the sharp nasal punch of わさび (wasabi), the warmth of 生姜(しょうが) (ginger), and the bite of 胡椒(こしょう) (pepper).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 辛(から)さ: spiciness (emphasizes degree; 辛味(からみ) emphasizes the quality of the flavor itself)
  • 甘味(あまみ): sweetness (parallel construction for a different taste)

Related Words

Related: 辛(から)い (spicy, hot)
Compare: 辛(から)さ (spiciness (emphasizes degree)
Compare: 甘味(あまみ) (sweetness)
general
Added 2026.2.28 18:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14000/14292_karami