How to say "salty" in Japanese

• しょっぱいCommon
  i-adjectiveThe everyday word for a salty taste, usually written in kana. It often carries a nuance that the saltiness is strong or more than expected, typical when reacting to food as you eat.
  このスープは、しょっぱ過すぎて飲のめないよ。↗

  This soup is too salty to eat.
• 塩辛いしおからいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe plain word for a salty taste, also covering briny flavors such as seawater. Use it when simply describing how salty something is, without the extra reaction implied by しょっぱい.
  このカツオの塩辛しおからは塩辛しおからすぎる。↗

  These salted bonito guts are too salty for me.
• 辛いからいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveBest known as the word for spicy, pungent heat; its salty sense is secondary and easily heard as spicy. For salty food, しょっぱい or 塩辛い is normally the word you want.

For the salty taste of food, choose 「しょっぱい」 in everyday speech or 「塩辛い」 for a plainer description that also covers briny sea flavors; 「辛い」 mainly means spicy, and its salty sense is rarely what you need.

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

• しょっぱいsalty
• 塩辛いしおからいsalty (taste)
• 辛めからめhottish
• 辛いからいsalty
• 辛口からくちsalty (taste)