Translation guide
Describes the flavor of salt, common in food and cooking. Japanese has several words for salty taste, with the most common being 'shoppai' for everyday saltiness, while 'enmi' is a more formal or culinary term. The adjective 'shio karai' literally means 'salt-spicy' and is also used.
Describing food that tastes salty in casual conversation.
The most common and natural adjective for 'salty' in everyday Japanese. Often used for food that is too salty or has a strong salt flavor.
This soup is a bit salty, isn't it?
I want to eat something salty.
Literally 'salt-spicy', this is a slightly more formal or descriptive adjective for salty. It can also refer to preserved foods like 'shiokara' (salted fish guts).
A variant kanji writing of しょっぱい, but the kana form is much more common.
Referring to saltiness as one of the basic tastes, often in cooking or food descriptions.
A noun meaning 'salty taste' or 'saltiness'. Used in culinary contexts, recipes, and formal descriptions. Can also be read 'しおあじ' but 'えんみ' is more common for the abstract taste.
This dish has a good salty flavor.
Refers to the presence of salt or a salty taste, often used for natural saltiness like in seawater or certain foods. Can imply a pleasant or subtle saltiness.
A technical or literary term for salty taste, rarely used in everyday language. Sometimes seen in scientific or traditional contexts.
Expressing that something has too much salt, often as a complaint or warning.
しょっぱい is the most common and casual word for salty. 塩辛い is slightly more formal and descriptive, but both are used. しょっぱい can also mean 'stingy' or 'cheap' in slang, but that's a different meaning.
He's a stingy guy. (slang)
English speakers sometimes confuse 'salty' and 'sour'. In Japanese, sour is 酸っぱい (すっぱい). Be careful not to mix them up.
This lemon is sour.
I like salty snacks.
The soup needs more saltiness.
These pickles are salty.
このラーメンは塩っぱい。
This ramen is salty.
Please adjust the saltiness.
このチーズはほどよい塩気がある。
This cheese has a nice salty taste.
Saltiness is one of the basic tastes.