What does it mean word for word?
The phrase この料理はおいしい breaks down literally into この (this), 料理 (cooking/cuisine), は (topic marker) and おいしい (delicious).
Which one should you use?
In casual settings, it is very common to omit the subject and the particle entirely, simply saying おいしい! to express enjoyment while eating. You may also encounter うまい！, which is an informal expression similar to おいしい. Alternatively, この料理、うまい uses うまい instead of おいしい and drops the particle は to create a more casual, masculine-leaning way to express that food is good.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression おいしいです is a common way to say "it's delicious" in a formal context. For a softer tone that invites agreement from others, you can use 美味しいですね, which adds the particle ね to the end. In casual settings, うまい！ is an informal alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding です to the end of おいしい makes the phrase polite, resulting in おいしいです, which is suitable for speaking to strangers, teachers or superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
kono ryōri wa oishii
Did you know?
- While おいしい focuses on taste, the word うまい can also mean 'skillful' or 'clever'. Saying うまい! while someone is cooking could be a compliment to their technique as well as the flavor.
- When dining in a restaurant, instead of just saying 'it is delicious', it is common custom to say ごちそうさまでした (gochisōsama deshita) at the end of the meal to thank the cook for the meal.
- In very casual settings, the 'i' sound at the end of おいしい is often stretched out to おいしーい to emphasize how good the food tastes.
Examples in context
- このラーメンはとても美味しいですね。This ramen is very delicious, don't you think?
- この焼肉、めっちゃうまいよ！This grilled meat is extremely tasty!
- この料理はおいしいです。kono ryouri wa oishii desu.This food is good.
- この料理はおいしいですね！kono ryouri wa oishii desu ne!This food is good, isn't it!
Example conversation
A couple is eating at a new restaurant.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの料理はおいしい？kono ryouri wa oishii?Is this food good?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、とてもおいしいよ。un, totemo oishii yo.Yes, it is very good.
- 大翔 Hirotoよかった！yokatta!That's good!
- 結衣 Yui大翔も食べてみて。Hiroto mo tabete mite.Hiroto, you should try it too.
