Translation guide
The taste that remains in your mouth after eating or drinking something. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the noun 後味 (あとあじ), but there are also related words for lingering flavor, sweetness, and metaphorical uses.
The physical sensation of a taste that stays in the mouth after consuming something.
The most common and neutral word for aftertaste. Can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant lingering tastes.
This coffee has a clean aftertaste.
The dish left a bad aftertaste.
Literally 'reverberation' or 'lingering effect'. Used for a pleasant, subtle aftertaste that lingers elegantly, often in the context of sake, tea, or fine dining.
This sake has a long, lingering aftertaste.
Similar to 後味 but less common. Can also refer to the aftertaste of a drink, especially alcohol. Sometimes used in the phrase 後口が悪い (bad aftertaste).
This wine has a refreshing aftertaste.
A lingering feeling, often negative, after an event or interaction.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'leaves a bad taste in one's mouth' or 'leaves a bad aftertaste' in a metaphorical sense. Used when an experience feels unpleasant or regrettable afterward.
The way he said it left a bad aftertaste.
That movie had an ending that left a bad aftertaste.
Noun form meaning 'the unpleasant aftertaste (of an experience)'. Used to describe the lingering discomfort or regret.
Specifically a sweet taste that remains, often in the context of fruits, desserts, or sake.
While primarily meaning 'sweetness', it can refer to the sweet aftertaste that lingers, especially in sake tasting or when describing fruit.
This melon is very sweet and has a good aftertaste.
General word for sweetness. Can be used to describe a sweet aftertaste, but less specific than 甘味.
The sweetness of this cake lingers in your mouth.
後味 (あとあじ) is the everyday word for aftertaste, both literal and metaphorical. 余韻 (よいん) is more poetic and often used for refined, lingering flavors in drinks like sake or tea, or for the lingering emotional impact of art. Using 余韻 for a bad aftertaste would be unusual.
It has a bitter aftertaste.
To enjoy the lingering aftertaste (of sake).
The English word 'aftertaste' is often directly translated as 後味, but in some contexts, Japanese speakers might simply describe the taste as lingering using verbs like 残る (のこる, to remain) or adjectives like すっきり (clean, refreshing). For example, 'It has a bitter aftertaste' can be 苦味が残る (にがみがのこる) without using 後味.
A bitter taste lingers in the mouth.
After the meeting, a bad aftertaste lingered.