How to say "palate" in Japanese

• 味覚みかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers the figurative sense of palate: the sense of taste, as in a refined or discerning palate. This is the common word when palate means taste rather than the body part.
  風邪かぜで彼かれの味覚みかくは鈍にぶくなっていた。↗

  A cold dulled his taste.
• 口蓋こうがい
  nounA less common, anatomical term for the palate, the roof of the mouth. Use this when palate means the body part itself, as in medical or anatomical discussion.
• 上顎うわあご
  nounPrimarily means the upper jaw; the palate sense is secondary. For the anatomical palate you normally want 口蓋, so reach for this word only when the upper jaw is really what you mean.

Use 味覚 for the figurative palate, the sense of taste; 口蓋 for the anatomical palate, the roof of the mouth; 上顎 chiefly means the upper jaw and only secondarily the palate.

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

• 味覚みかく(sense of) taste
• 口蓋こうがいpalate
• 上顎うわあごupper jaw
• 口くちtaste