塩っぱい
shoppai[ɕo̞p̚pa̠i]
The Japanese phrase for "salty" is 塩っぱい (shoppai). Wiktionary also lists 塩辛い (shiokarai).
Meaning: tasting of salt (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 塩っぱい | shoppai | [ɕo̞p̚pa̠i] (narrow) |
| 塩辛い | shiokarai | [ɕio̞ka̠ɾa̠i] (narrow) |
Both forms are used to describe something that has a taste of salt.
Which one should you use?
塩っぱい (shoppai) is the more colloquial and common form used in daily conversation, whereas 塩辛い (shiokarai) is a more formal option.
How do you pronounce it?
shoppai
Did you know?
- The phrase 塩をまく (shio o maku, 'to sprinkle salt') is a cultural ritual used to purify a space or ward off bad luck. This is why you will often see small piles of salt outside Japanese businesses or in Sumo rings.
- In Japanese slang, the word 塩 (shio, 'salt') is used to describe someone who is cold, distant or unfriendly. A person with a 'salty' personality is called 塩対応 (shio-taiō), meaning they give 'salty' or curt responses.
- The colloquial term 塩っぱい (shoppai) likely evolved from an ancient way of saying salt was 'dazzling' or 'bright', linking the taste to the visual shine of salt crystals.
Examples in context
- この梅干し、塩辛いね。This umeboshi tastes really salty.This sentence is useful for describing how an umeboshi tastes using 塩辛い.Tatoeba #9453628 by small_snow, translation #10068947 by tsp_2
- スープ、めちゃ塩辛いんだけど。The soup is very salty.This sentence is useful for describing how a soup tastes using 塩辛い.Tatoeba #12508684 by small_snow, translation #7822336 by 100nosewiggles
- ここのソースは舐めてみるとちょっと塩っぱい。If you taste this sauce you'll find it a bit salty.This sentence is useful for describing how a sauce tastes using 塩っぱい.Tatoeba #74117 by fcbond, translation #329603 by fcbond
- この料理は塩辛いです。This dish is salty.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are sharing a snack in a park.
- 結衣 Yuiこのナッツ、すごく塩っぱいね。Kono nattsu, sugoku shoppai ne.These nuts are really salty, aren't they?
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。ちょっとしょっぱいかも。Hontō da. Chotto shoppai kamo.You're right. They might be a bit salty.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、お水を飲んで。Yota-kun, o mizu o nonde.Yota, please drink some water.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、結衣。助かるよ。Arigatō, Yui. Tasukaru yo.Thanks, Yui. That helps.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salty” translations and entries 塩っぱい, 塩辛い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 塩っぱい, 塩辛い, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
