味見する
ajimi suru
The English phrase 'to taste' is expressed in Japanese as 味見する (ajimi suru).
味見する is used specifically for the functional act of sampling food or drink to check its quality or flavor, such as when a chef samples a dish during cooking. It is not used for the general sensation of tasting a flavor.
Meaning: depending on personal taste (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun part of this verb, 味見, is composed of 味, meaning 'flavor' and 見, meaning 'to see' or 'to look', literally meaning 'to look at the flavor'.
Which one should you use?
While 味見する refers to the functional act of testing a flavor, 味わう is used when you want to say 'to savor' or 'to enjoy the taste' of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 味見する is 味見した.
How do you pronounce it?
ajimi suru
Did you know?
- The word 味 ('flavor') is also used in Japanese to describe the 'character' or 'soul' of a person or a piece of art, meaning something has 'depth' or 'richness'.
- The use of 見 ('to see') in 味見する reflects a broader Japanese linguistic pattern where 'seeing' is used to mean 'checking' or 'inspecting' various things, not just visual objects.
- While 味見する describes testing food, Japanese has a specific term 後味 ('after-taste') that describes the lingering flavor, which is treated as a distinct sensory experience from the initial taste.
Examples in context
- この料理は本当に素晴らしい味わいです。This dish has an absolutely wonderful taste.
- 新しいメニューの料理を味見しました。I tasted the new dish from the menu.
- このお菓子、食べてみて！とても美味しいよ。Try this snack! It's really delicious.
- このジュース、味見してみてくれる？Could you try this juice and let me know what you think?
- 彼女の作ったケーキを味わってください。Please savor the cake she made.
- 旅行で新しい文化を味わうことができます。You can experience new cultures through traveling.
- 彼の歌は心に深い感動を味わわせます。His songs evoke deep emotions in the heart.
- 味見しながら塩や醤油を調整します。Adjust the salt and soy sauce while tasting.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are cooking together in the kitchen.
- 結衣 Yuiスープができたよ。supu ga dekita yo.The soup is ready.
- 蓮 Ren僕が味見するね。boku ga ajimi suru ne.I'll taste it.
- 蓮 Renもう少し塩が必要だね。mou sukoshi shio ga hitsuyou da ne.It needs a little more salt.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった、入れるね。wakatta, ireru ne.Got it, I'll add some.
