味: the kanji for taste and flavor
味 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means taste, flavor. Below are its readings, 12 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
味 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
味 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 11 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ミ (mi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 意味いみ · imi | meaning |
| 興味きょうみ · kyōmi | interest |
| 趣味しゅみ · shumi | hobby |
| 味方みかた · mikata | ally; supporter |
| 調味料ちょうみりょう · chōmiryō | seasoning |
| 賞味期限しょうみきげん · shōmi kigen | best-before date |
| 地味じみ · jimi | plain; low-key |
あじ (aji)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 味あじ · aji | taste; flavor |
| 味見あじみ · ajimi | tasting |
| 塩味しおあじ · shioaji | salty flavor |
あじわう (ajiwau)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 味わうあじわう · ajiwau | to taste; to savor |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 味, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 三味線しゃみせん · shamisen | shamisen (instrument) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 趣味は何ですか。Shumi wa nan desu ka.What are your hobbies?
- この料理はやさしい味です。Kono ryōri wa yasashii aji desu.This dish has a mild flavor.
- 日本の歴史に興味があります。Nihon no rekishi ni kyōmi ga arimasu.I'm interested in Japanese history.
- この牛乳は賞味期限が切れています。Kono gyūnyū wa shōmi kigen ga kirete imasu.This milk is past its best-before date.
- 京都で本物の抹茶を味わいました。Kyōto de honmono no matcha o ajiwaimashita.I savored authentic matcha in Kyoto.
- その言葉はどういう意味ですか。Sono kotoba wa dō iu imi desu ka.What does that word mean?
Questions about 味
How many strokes does 味 have?
味 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 味?
The on readings are mi (ミ). The kun readings are aji (あじ), ajiwau (あじわう).
What is the difference between 賞味期限 and 消費期限?
賞味期限 (shōmi kigen) is a best-before date for food that keeps well. 消費期限 (shōhi kigen) is a use-by date for food that spoils quickly, like sandwiches and raw meat.
What JLPT level is 味?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 味
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.