口直(くちなお)し

くちなおし
noun
palate cleanser; something to remove an aftertaste
food
1. palate cleanser; something to take away an aftertaste
Eating or drinking something to clear a lingering taste from the mouth, or the food or drink used for that purpose. Often used after a strong or unpleasant flavor, or between courses.
口直(くちなお)しにお茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)んだ。
I drank some tea as a palate cleanser.
苦(にが)い薬(くすり)の後(あと)に、口直(くちなお)しのあめをなめた。
After the bitter medicine, I sucked on a candy to clear my mouth.
コース料理(りょうり)では、肉(にく)の前(まえ)に口直(くちなお)しのシャーベットが出(で)てきた。
In the course meal, a sherbet came out as a palate cleanser before the meat.

Literally "fixing the mouth." Used both for the act of clearing the palate and for the item eaten or drunk to do so. Commonly takes する: 口直(くちなお)しをする (to cleanse the palate).

Common collocations

  • 口直(くちなお)しに: as a palate cleanser
  • 口直(くちなお)しのお茶(ちゃ): tea to cleanse the palate
  • 口直(くちなお)しをする: to clear one's palate

Usage

Also used figuratively for something pleasant experienced to wash away a bad impression, e.g. watching a good film after a disappointing one.

general
Added 2026.7.18 6:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
29500/29907_kuchinaoshi