Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “not spicy” in Japanese! Whether you’re dining out and want to convey your preference for mild flavors or simply discussing your spice tolerance, being able to express your desire for non-spicy food is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to convey this in Japanese, highlighting key regional variations when necessary. From helpful tips to useful examples, we’ve got you covered!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Not Spicy”
When it comes to formal situations, such as communicating your preferences to a server in a restaurant or discussing your spice tolerance with someone you don’t know well, it’s essential to use polite language and honorifics. Here are some phrases you can use:
Karai no wa tabemasen. (辛いのは食べません。)
I don’t eat spicy food.
In this expression, “karai” means spicy, “no” is a possessive particle, and “wa” is the topic marker. “Tabemasen” is the negative form of the verb “taberu” (to eat) in polite speech.
Karai mono ga iya desu. (辛い物が嫌です。)
I don’t like spicy food.
In this phrase, “mono” means food, “ga” is a subject marker, and “iya desu” conveys dislike or aversion.
To sound even more polite, you can add “o-negai shimasu” (please) at the end of either of the above phrases, like “Karai no wa tabemasen o-negai shimasu,” or “Karai mono ga iya desu o-negai shimasu.”
Informal Ways to Say “Not Spicy”
Informal situations, such as conversing with friends, family, or close acquaintances, allow for a more casual approach. Here are some phrases suitable for such occasions:
Karai no tabenai. (辛いの食べない。)
I don’t eat spicy food.
In this casual expression, “tabenai” is the plain form of the verb “taberu” in negative form, and “no” functions as a particle and a substitutive nominalizer.
Karai mono wa kirai. (辛い物は嫌い。)
I don’t like spicy food.
This phrase conveys the same meaning as the previous one but sounds slightly stronger, emphasizing the aversion towards spicy food. “Kirai” means dislike.
Useful Tips
When discussing preferences or ordering food, remember these additional tips:
- Specify the level of spiciness: If you have a moderate tolerance for spice, you can use phrases like “sukoshi karai” (a little spicy) or “chotto karai” (slightly spicy). Conversely, if you cannot handle any spice at all, you can say “karai no zenzen nai” (not spicy at all).
- Be aware of regional variations: Japanese cuisine can vary by region, and spice levels can differ too. For instance, in the Kansai region, people generally prefer milder flavors, so you might find dishes less spicy than in other areas.
- Ask for recommendations: If you’re unsure about which dishes are typically less spicy, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. Use phrases like “Karai no nai osusume wa nan desu ka?” (What do you recommend that is not spicy?) to seek guidance from locals or servers.
Common Examples
Let’s now look at some common examples of how to use the phrases we’ve learned:
- Example 1:
Person A: “Kyou no ryouri wa dou desu ka? (今日の料理はどうですか？)“
Person B: “Karai no wa tabemasen. O-negai shimasu. (辛いのは食べません。お願いします。)“
Person A: “Wakarimashita. (分かりました。)“
Translation:
Person A: “How is today’s meal?”
Person B: “I don’t eat spicy food. Please.”
Person A: “Understood.”
- Example 2:
Person A: “Yakiniku ga tabetai na. (焼肉が食べたいな。)“
Person B: “Chotto karai no wa ii? (ちょっと辛いのはいい？)“
Person A: “Iya, karai no wa tabenai yo. (いや、辛いのは食べないよ。)“
Translation:
Person A: “I feel like eating grilled meat.”
Person B: “Is it okay if it’s a bit spicy?”
Person A: “No, I don’t eat spicy food.”
Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep using these phrases and paying attention to the context, and you’ll soon become comfortable expressing your preference for non-spicy food in Japanese.
