noun
good flavor; deliciousness
General term for a rich, savory, or satisfying taste in food.
このスープは野菜の旨味がよく出ている。
This soup has a rich, savory flavor from the vegetables.
noun
umami (savory taste)
Specifically the fifth basic taste, often associated with glutamates and nucleotides. Common in culinary and scientific contexts.
Kombu dashi contains a lot of umami compounds.
noun
Figurative use referring to a person's appealing qualities, talent, or charm. Often used in phrases like 旨味がある.
彼の演技には独特の旨味がある。
His performance has a unique charm.
noun
Colloquial use for a tangible gain or benefit, often in business or personal advantage. Similar to うまみがある meaning 'there's something in it for one'.
この仕事にはあまり旨味がない。
There's not much profit in this job.
Often used in scientific or culinary contexts to specifically denote the umami taste. 味 is ateji.
Derived from the adjective うまい (delicious) with the nominalizing suffix み, indicating a quality or degree. The kanji 旨 carries the meaning of 'delicious' or 'skillful', and 味 means 'taste', though its use here is ateji.