How to say "delicious" in Japanese

• おいしいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe common, all-purpose word for saying food or drink tastes good; it matches 'delicious' and 'tasty' directly. Say it when praising a dish at the table, whether a home-cooked meal or restaurant food.
  おいしい食事しょくじをありがとう。↗

  Thanks for the delicious meal.
• うまいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveAlso says that food or drink tastes good, often with a note of hearty enjoyment — the sound of someone tucking in with relish. It has other senses too, such as being good at something.
  あそこの食べ物たべものはうまいし値段ねだんも安やすいが、地ちの利りが悪わるいのが難点なんてんだね。↗

  That place's food is great, and their prices are good, but the fly in the ointment is their terrible location.

Both words say that food or drink tastes good: 「おいしい」 is the all-purpose choice for the plain 'delicious' sense, while 「うまい」 adds a heartier, more appreciative note and also has senses unrelated to taste.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• おいしいgood(-tasting)
• デリシャスdelicious
• まいうーdelicious
• まいゆdelicious
• んまいdelicious
• ボーノdelicious
• まーさんdelicious
• うめぇdelicious
• おいちいgood(-tasting)
• 快美かいびpleasantly beautiful
• 牛負けたうしまけた(that was) delicious
• うまいdelicious