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.
This lemon is very sour.
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.
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).
to have experienced both the sour and the sweet of life
Describing a sour or acrid smell, like sweat or fermentation.
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.
He had a sour expression on his face.
Describes a sudden sour or offended look/reaction.
She turned sour at the joke.
Literally 'make a bitter face', often used when someone looks sour or displeased.
Describing milk or other food that has spoiled and become sour.
Referring to 'sour' as a category of taste, often in product names or menus.
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.
He left the room with a sour look.