薄味
usuaji
The English word 'bland' can be translated into Japanese as 薄味 (usuaji).
薄味 is used to describe food that lacks intense flavor or is lightly seasoned. Unlike the English word 'bland', which often implies that food is boring or unappetizing, 薄味 is frequently used in a neutral or even positive way to describe food that is subtle or healthy.
Meaning: lacking in taste or flavor (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use the word as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'bland soup', the form changes to 薄味の (usuaji no).
How do you pronounce it?
usuaji
Did you know?
- The term 薄味 can also be used metaphorically in Japanese to describe a person's personality or even a piece of art that lacks impact or 'edge'.
- While 薄味 describes the seasoning, Japanese has a separate word 淡白 (tanpaku) that describes both a 'bland' taste and a 'disinterested' or 'unemotional' personality.
- The kanji 薄 in 薄味 is the same character used for 'thin' ice or 'thin' paper, suggesting that blandness is seen as a lack of substance.
Examples in context
- 食べ物は淡白だったので、少し塩を加えました。The food was bland, so I added a bit of salt.
- まずい！この料理は全く味がないよ。Yuck! This dish is completely tasteless.
- このスープは少し薄味ですね。Kono suupu wa sukoshi usuaji desu ne.This soup is a little bland.
- 健康のために、薄味の料理を作ります。Kenkou no tame ni, usuaji no ryouri o tsukurimasu.I make bland dishes for my health.
Example conversation
Two people are eating at a new restaurant.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの料理、少し薄味じゃない？Kono ryouri, sukoshi usuaji janai?Isn't this dish a bit bland?
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。ちょっと物足りないかな。Hontou dane. Chotto monotarinai kana.You're right. It feels a bit lacking.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは、もっと濃い味のほうが好き？Himari-san wa, motto koi aji no hou ga suki?Himari, do you prefer stronger flavors?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、私はもう少し味があってもいいと思う。Un, watashi wa mou sukoshi aji ga atte mo ii to omou.Yeah, I think it could do with a bit more flavor.
