美味しい食べ物
oishii tabemono
The Japanese phrase for "good food" is 美味しい食べ物 (oishii tabemono).
This phrase is used to describe food that tastes delicious. While 美味しい食べ物 is a standard way to describe delicious food, you might also encounter other terms depending on the context: ごちそう is used specifically to refer to an extravagant feast or a special treat and うまい is an informal way to express that food is delicious.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective oishii (delicious) and the noun tabemono (food).
Which one should you use?
While 美味しい食べ物 is a standard way to express the idea, you can use うまい食べ物 as a more casual, often masculine-coded way to say "good food".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word おいしい can be used informally to express enjoyment of food. In contrast, うまい食べ物 is a more casual option than 美味しい食べ物.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective oishii directly precedes the noun tabemono to modify it, which follows a word order similar to English.
How do you pronounce it?
oishii tabemono
Did you know?
- The word ごちそう literally means 'to run around', referring to the effort a host once made to gather high-quality ingredients for a feast.
- There is a specific word 旨味 (umami) used to describe a fifth basic taste, often associated with the 'savory' quality of good food.
- While 美味しい is the standard word for delicious, the word うまい is also used to describe someone who is skilled or 'good' at a particular activity.
Examples in context
- そのお祭りは美味しい食べ物いっぱい売ってるかな？I wonder if that festival will have a ton of good food?This sentence shows how to use 美味しい食べ物 when wondering about the availability of food at a festival.Tatoeba #11020497 by bunbuku, translation #11020499 by DJ_Saidez
- 私はこのお寿司がとてもおいしいと思います。I think this sushi is very delicious.
- このデザートは本当にごちそうですね。This dessert is truly a feast/treat, isn't it?
- この料理はとても美味しいです。シェフの才能が感じられますね。This dish is very delicious. I can feel the talent of the chef.
- このラーメン、めちゃくちゃうまい！This ramen is insanely delicious!
- このピザは最高においしいよ！This pizza is incredibly delicious!
- この焼肉、すごい旨い！This grilled meat is incredibly tasty/delicious!
- 美味しい食べ物を探しています。Oishii tabemono o sagashite imasu.I am looking for good food.
- この街には美味しい食べ物が多いです。Kono machi ni wa oishii tabemono ga ooi desu.There is a lot of good food in this town.
Example conversation
Daito and Himari are deciding where to go for lunch.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、お腹空いたね。Himari, onaka suita ne.Himari, I'm hungry.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。美味しい食べ物が食べたいな。Sou da ne. Oishii tabemono ga tabetai na.I agree. I want to eat some good food.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに新しい店があるよ。Asoko ni atarashii mise ga aru yo.There is a new shop over there.
- 陽葵 Himariいい考え！そこに行こう。Ii kangae! Soko ni ikou.Great idea! Let's go there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
