Japanese word of the day: 美味しい (Oishii)

What does word mean?

美味しい (Oishii) (い-adjective) – Delicious; tasty; yummy. This is the go-to word for describing food and drinks that taste great. Whether it’s a home-cooked meal, a fancy dessert, or just your favorite snack, 美味しい is the word you’ll use to show your appreciation.

Kanji details for 美 and 味

Character: 美 — beauty, beautiful
Radical: sheep 羊 (⺶)

Character: 味 — flavor, taste
Radical: mouth, opening 口

Example sentences with word

• このケーキはとても美味しいです。
  (Kono kēki wa totemo oishii desu.)
  🍰 This cake is very delicious.

• 美味しいラーメン屋を知っていますか？
  (Oishii rāmen-ya o shitteimasu ka?)
  🍜 Do you know a good ramen shop?

• お母さんの料理はいつも美味しい。
  (Okaasan no ryōri wa itsumo oishii.)
  👩‍🍳 Mom’s cooking is always tasty.

Word in context

美味しい is one of the most useful Japanese adjectives, and for good reason-it’s used every day! You’ll hear it at restaurants, in homes, and whenever someone tries something new. If you want to compliment a chef or thank a friend for a meal, just say “美味しい!” with a smile.

A quick tip: For a more casual or cute way to say “delicious,” try おいしい in hiragana, or use the slang うまい (umai), which is common among friends and younger people.

Whether you’re tasting sushi for the first time or enjoying your favorite snack, 美味しい is the perfect word to express your delight.