おいしい
oishii
The English phrase "yum" is expressed in Japanese as おいしい (oishii).
Both おいしい and its variations are used to indicate delight at the flavor of food.
Meaning: indicating delight at the flavor of food (intj)
Which one should you use?
While おいしい is a standard way to say something is delicious, うまい is a colloquial alternative used to describe something as tasty.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use the polite form おいしいです when speaking to strangers or superiors. In contrast, うまい is an informal, often masculine-coded term used among friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the expression polite, add です to the end of おいしい to form おいしいです.
How do you pronounce it?
oishii
Did you know?
- The word うまい is so versatile that if you tell a person うまい! after they perform a magic trick, you are not saying the trick tasted good, but that they were 'clever' or 'skillful' at it.
- While おいしい describes taste, the word うまみ is used globally in culinary science to describe the savory 'fifth taste' discovered in Japan.
- While 'delicious' is a compliment, saying おいしい too many times while eating can sometimes be perceived as a lack of etiquette or an indication that you are more focused on the taste than the conversation.
Examples in context
- この料理はとてもおいしいですね。This dish is very delicious, isn't it?
- このケーキ、めちゃくちゃうまいよ！This cake is incredibly delicious!
- お寿司最高だね！おいしい！Sushi is the best! It's delicious!
- 広島のもみじ饅頭は旨いなぁ。Hiroshima's momiji manju is really delicious.
- このケーキ、とてもおいしい！Kono kēki, totemo oishii!This cake is very delicious!
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are eating at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiこのパスタ、すごくおいしいよ！Kono pasuta, sugoku oishii yo!This pasta is really delicious!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、おいしいね。Hontō da, oishii ne.You're right, it is delicious.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、もっと食べる？Yōta-kun, motto taberu?Yota, do you want more?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、美咲、ありがとう。Un, Misaki, arigatō.Yeah, thanks, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おいしい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
