Translation guide
The English word 'sour' describes a sharp, acidic taste, but also extends to smells, moods, and spoiled things. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is sour and the nuance.
Describing a sour taste, like lemon, vinegar, or unripe fruit.
The most common and general word for a sour taste. Used for food and drink.
このレモンはとても酸っぱい。
This lemon is very sour.
酸っぱいものが好きですか？
Do you like sour things?
Literally 'has sourness'. A more formal or descriptive way to say something is sour, often used in food reviews or product descriptions.
このドレッシングは程よい酸味がある。
This dressing has a pleasant sourness.
An older or literary word for sour. Rarely used in modern conversation, but appears in set phrases like '酸いも甘いも噛み分ける' (to know the bitter and the sweet of life).
酸いも甘いも噛み分ける
to have experienced both the sour and the sweet of life
Describing a sour or acrid smell, like sweat or fermentation.
Also used for sour smells, though context makes it clear.
部屋が酸っぱい匂いがする。
The room smells sour.
Specifically means 'sour-smelling', often for sweat or stale air.
彼のシャツは酸臭かった。
His shirt smelled sour.
Describing a person's mood or facial expression as sour, meaning unhappy or resentful.
Means 'displeased' or 'sullen'. Used for a sour mood or expression.
彼は不機嫌な顔をしていた。
He had a sour expression on his face.
Describes a sudden sour or offended look/reaction.
彼女はその冗談にむっとした。
She turned sour at the joke.
Literally 'make a bitter face', often used when someone looks sour or displeased.
彼は苦い顔をして部屋を出て行った。
He left the room with a sour look.
Describing milk or other food that has spoiled and become sour.
General word for 'rotten' or 'spoiled'. When milk goes sour, it's 腐った牛乳.
この牛乳は腐っている。
This milk is sour.
Technical term for rancid or sour, used for oils and fats. Not common in daily speech.
酸敗したバター
sour butter
Referring to 'sour' as a category of taste, often in product names or menus.
Loanword from English 'sour', used for cocktails (e.g., ウイスキーサワー) and some candies.
ウイスキーサワーをください。
I'll have a whiskey sour.
Colloquial way to refer to 'sour-type' things, like candies.
酸っぱい系のお菓子が好き。
I like sour candies.
While 酸っぱい can describe a sour smell or taste, it is not used for a person's mood. Use 不機嫌 or 苦い顔 instead.
酸っぱい is the everyday adjective. 酸味がある is more objective and often used in formal descriptions, like on food labels or in reviews.