How to say "flavour" in Japanese

• 味あじJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general word for the taste or flavour of food and drink; use it when simply saying how something tastes, whether good or bad.
  このチーズはピリッとした味あじがする。↗

  This cheese has a sharp taste.
• 味わいあじわいJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveFlavour as something to be savoured and enjoyed; suggests depth, richness or subtlety rather than plain taste, and is also used figuratively for the charm or appeal of things and people.
  この酒さけには独特どくとくの味あじわいがある。↗

  This liquor has a taste all of its own.
• 風味ふうみCommon
  nounFlavour with emphasis on aroma and the characteristic savour of an ingredient or dish; typical when talking about whether that distinctive quality is kept or lost.
  にんにくは食事しょくじの風味ふうみを増ます。↗

  Garlic enhances the flavor of meals.
• 味付けあじつけCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbReally 'seasoning' — the act of seasoning a dish or the way it is seasoned. It is seldom the word you want for flavour as a taste; use it only when flavouring is meant.
  このお料理りょうりは、パリのエスプリを意識いしきして、味付あじつけしてみました。↗

  This cuisine is seasoned to evoke the esprit of Paris.
• フレーバーCommon
  nounA loanword used mainly for flavour as a variety or option of a commercial product — which flavour of a drink or snack — rather than for the taste of a dish served at table.

Use 味 for taste in general, 「味わい」 for rich or subtle flavour you savour, 風味 for the characteristic aromatic flavour of a food, 「味付け」 for seasoning, and 「フレーバー」 for the flavour varieties of commercial products.

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

• 味あじflavor
• 味わいあじわいflavour
• 風味ふうみtaste
• 味付けあじつけseasoning
• フレーバーflavor
• 塩梅あんばいseasoning
• 香味こうみsmell and taste
• 味あいあじあいflavour
• 食味しょくみtaste
• 口味こうみtaste
• 味を調えるあじをととのえるto flavor
• 味をつけるあじをつけるto season (e.g. with salt)
• 色合いいろあいflavour
• 匂いにおいaura
• 気きfragrance
• 甘味かんみtaste