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塩梅 (あんばい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
seasoning ; flavor ; taste
Refers to the balance or quality of flavor, especially seasoning. The spelling 塩梅 is particularly apt here; 塩梅する can mean to balance or adjust seasoning, though noun use is often more natural in everyday contexts.
り
人にん
は
塩しお
と
酢す
を
上手じょうず
に
塩梅あんばい
し
た
。
The cook balanced the salt and vinegar skillfully.
2
noun
condition ; state ; situation
Used for how something is going or what state it is in, often with expressions such as いい塩梅に. It suggests a practical balance or state rather than a strictly technical condition.
3
noun
health ; physical condition
A somewhat old-fashioned or colloquial way to refer to one's bodily condition, especially in phrases like 体の塩梅が悪い.
4
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
arrangement ; assignment ; adjustment ; handling
Used for allocating, arranging, adjusting, or dealing with things in a balanced or practical way. The spelling 按配 is especially associated with this sense and can feel somewhat written or formal compared with everyday words like 調整 or 手配.
Written forms 塩梅あんばい Usage 28%
High-priority spelling; especially natural for seasoning, condition, and physical condition senses.
按あん 配ばい Usage 31%
Attested spelling, especially associated with arranging, assigning, adjusting, or handling something.
あんばい Usage 30%
案あん 配ばい Usage 10%
rarely-used kanji form
It is a rarely used kanji form.
按あん 排ばい Usage 1%
rarely-used kanji form
It is a rarely used kanji form.
安あん 排ばい
rarely-used kanji form
It is a rarely used kanji form.
Kanji 按 hold, consider, investigate Similar words 加か 減げん Also means degree, adjustment, or condition; it is more broadly used in everyday Japanese, while 塩梅 often suggests a balanced state or just-right feel.
調ちょう 子し Common for physical condition, machine condition, tone, or momentum; 塩梅 is more old-fashioned or nuanced when referring to health or condition.
味あじ 付つ け Specifically means seasoning or flavoring food; 塩梅 emphasizes the resulting balance or rightness of the taste.
手て 配はい Means making concrete arrangements or preparations; 按配 focuses more on distributing, adjusting, or arranging things appropriately.
Etymology The exact historical development is not specified. The spelling 塩梅 combines characters associated with salt and plum or sourness, matching the idea of balanced seasoning; the broader senses of condition and arrangement can be understood as extensions of balance or proper adjustment. The alternate spellings with 按 and 配 are conventionally associated with arranging or distributing.
distribute, spouse, exile
排 repudiate, exclude, expel 
