辛口(からくち)

からくち
noun, no-adjective
dry (sake/wine); spicy; harsh criticism
fooddescriptive
1. dry (sake/wine)
Describes sake or wine that is not sweet, with a crisp, clean taste. The opposite is 甘口(あまくち) (sweet).
この日本酒(にほんしゅ)は辛口(からくち)だ。
This sake is dry.
辛口(からくち)の白(しろ)ワインを一本(いっぽん)ください。
One bottle of dry white wine, please.
辛口(からくち)の日本酒(にほんしゅ)は料理(りょうり)との相性(あいしょう)がいい。
Dry sake pairs well with food.
2. spicy; hot
Describes food that has a strong, pungent heat rather than sweetness.
この辛口(からくち)カレーは辛(から)すぎる。
This spicy curry is too hot.
辛口(からくち)の味(あじ)が好(す)きな人(ひと)にはおすすめです。
I recommend this for people who like spicy flavors.
このラーメンは辛口(からくち)と甘口(あまくち)が選(えら)べる。
You can choose between spicy and mild for this ramen.
3. harsh; blunt; severe (criticism)
Used figuratively to describe someone who gives frank, unsparing criticism or evaluation.
あの評論家(ひょうろんか)は辛口(からくち)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。
That critic is famous for being harsh.
辛口(からくち)の意見(いけん)をはっきり言(い)う人(ひと)だ。
He's the kind of person who frankly states harsh opinions.
彼女(かのじょ)の辛口(からくち)コメントは的確(てきかく)で参考(さんこう)になる。
Her blunt comments are accurate and useful.

A versatile word with three distinct meanings: dry (drinks), spicy (food), and harsh (criticism).

Forms

辛(から) (spicy/dry) + 口(くち) (mouth/taste)

Similar words

The antonym across all senses is 甘口(あまくち) (sweet/mild/lenient).

SENSE 1 — DRY (DRINKS):
For sake and wine, 辛口(からくち)/甘口(あまくち) is the primary flavor axis. 辛口(からくち) sake has a crisp, clean taste rather than being literally spicy.

SENSE 2 — SPICY (FOOD):
Used for spice levels on menus, especially curry: 甘口(あまくち) (mild) → 中辛(ちゅうから) (medium) → 辛口(からくち) (hot)

SENSE 3 — HARSH (CRITICISM):
Figurative — describes blunt, unsparing criticism:

Related Words

Antonym: 甘口(あまくち) (sweet; mild)
Related: 激辛(げきから) (extremely spicy)
general
Added 2026.3.23 13:36 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
18500/18794_karakuchi