美味しい
oishii[o̞iɕii]
The phrase 'something is delicious' in Japanese is 美味しい (oishii).
You can use 美味しい to say that something is delicious. To specify that something is very delicious, you can say totemo oishii.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In polite situations, such as when speaking with teachers, strangers or in restaurants, you should add desu to make it 美味しいです. For informal settings, you can simply say Oishii! or use the informal expression Umai!
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was delicious in the past tense, change the adjective ending to oishikatta desu (or 美味しかったです).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [oishii].
Did you know?
- The word うまい (umai) has a second meaning unrelated to taste: it can describe someone who is skilled or 'good' at a particular activity or craft.
- The word 美味しい was once part of 女房詞 (nyōbo kotoba), a specialized vocabulary used by court ladies in the Heian period. This 'women's language' helped shape the way certain aesthetic and sensory adjectives were used in refined society.
- The word 美しい (utsukushii) means 'beautiful' and shares the same kanji character for 'beauty' as 美味しい does for 'delicious'.
Examples in context
- このケーキはとても美味しいです。Kono kēki wa totemo oishii desu.This cake is very delicious.
- 母の料理はいつも美味しい。Haha no ryōri wa itsumo oishii.My mother's cooking is always delicious.
- 温かくて美味しいスープですね。Atatakakute oishii sūpu desu ne.It is a warm and delicious soup, isn't it?
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are eating lunch together.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、このパスタはどう？Kenta-kun, kono pasuta wa dō?Kenta, how is this pasta?
- 健太 Kentaすごく美味しいよ！Sugoku oishii yo!It's very delicious!
- 陽葵 Himariよかった。私も美味しいと思う。Yokatta. Watashi mo oishii to omou.I'm glad. I think it's delicious too.
- 健太 Kentaまたここで食べよう。Mata koko de tabeyō.Let's eat here again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 美味しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 美味しい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
