What does it mean word for word?
The word totemo is an adverb meaning "very" used to intensify the adjective. The word oishii is the adjective for "delicious" or "tasty". The word desu is a polite copula used at the end of the sentence to mean "is", "am" or "are".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form ご飯がとても美味しいです is in a polite register, which is suitable for speaking to acquaintances or restaurant staff. For an informal version, you can say Oishii to mean "Yummy!" or in casual settings with friends, you might say ご飯、めっちゃ美味しい！ to mean "The food is super tasty!"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect (specifically Osaka and Kyoto), you can use Meccha oishii to mean "It is extremely delicious."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word oishii is an i-adjective, meaning it ends in the syllable "i" and can be modified directly by adverbs like totemo. The word desu is used at the end of the sentence to make the statement polite.
How do you pronounce it?
gohan ga totemo oishii desu
Did you know?
- When expressing that food is delicious, Japanese speakers often make a slurping sound while eating noodles. This is not considered rude but is a way to signal that the meal is being enjoyed.
- When eating, Japanese people often say Gochisousama instead of saying the food is delicious to show gratitude. This phrase literally translates to 'It was a feast', acknowledging the effort put into the meal.
- While oishii is the standard word for 'delicious', you may hear some people use umai. This is a more masculine or casual term that can also mean 'skillful' when describing a person's talent.
Examples in context
- 母のご飯がとても美味しいです。Haha no gohan ga totemo oishii desu.My mother's food is very good.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are eating at a new restaurant.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、このお店はどうですか？Yota-san, kono omise wa dou desu ka?Yota, how is this restaurant?
- 陽太 Yotaご飯がとても美味しいです！Gohan ga totemo oishii desu!The food is very good!
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですね。私も気に入りました。Hontou desu ne. Watashi mo kiniirimashita.It really is. I like it too.
- 陽太 Yotaまたここに来ましょう。Mata koko ni kimashou.Let's come here again.
