しょっぱい
When you eat something and it has a strong, distinctive taste that reminds you of the ocean or a salt shaker, that's what しょっぱい (shoppai) describes.
It's used specifically for the taste sensation of saltiness. For example, if you have a soup that tastes a bit too much like salt, you can say it's しょっぱい.
This adjective helps you explain that specific taste when you're talking about food.
When talking about taste in Japanese, しょっぱい (shoppai) specifically refers to something being salty. It's an adjective you can use to describe food that has a strong salt flavor.
For instance, if you taste miso soup or soy sauce and find it very salty, you would say it's しょっぱい. This word is commonly used in everyday conversations about food and cooking. It's a fundamental adjective to know when discussing flavors in Japanese.
When talking about taste in Japanese, しょっぱい (shoppai) is the adjective you use specifically for 'salty'. It's important to differentiate this from からい (karai), which means 'spicy'. While some salty foods can also be spicy, しょっぱい focuses purely on the saltiness.
For example, if you eat a pretzel or some potato chips, you'd describe them as しょっぱい. If a dish tastes too salty, you can say '味がしょっぱすぎる' (aji ga shoppai sugiru), meaning 'the taste is too salty'. Understanding this distinction is key to accurately describing flavors in Japanese.
しょっぱい in 30 Sekunden
- Use for salty taste.
- Commonly for food/drinks.
- A2 CEFR level word.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
The Japanese adjective しょっぱい (shoppai) is used to describe something that tastes salty. It's a fundamental word for describing food, and you'll hear it often in everyday conversations, especially when people are talking about what they're eating or cooking. Think of it like the English word 'salty' – you use it when a dish has too much salt, or when a food naturally has a strong salty flavor.
It's pretty straightforward. If you're eating something and it tastes salty, you can use しょっぱい to describe it. It's a common adjective to express your opinion about food, whether it's positive or negative. For example, if you bite into a pickle, you might say it's しょっぱい. If a soup has too much soy sauce, it's also しょっぱい.
Here are some common situations where you'd use しょっぱい:
- Describing food that contains a lot of salt.
- Expressing a preference for less salty food.
- Commenting on the taste of traditional Japanese dishes that are often quite salty (like miso soup or pickled vegetables).
- Comparing the saltiness of different foods.
It's not just for food, though the primary use is indeed culinary. You might occasionally hear it used metaphorically, especially in more colloquial or older expressions, but for beginners, focus on its literal meaning of 'salty'.
- DEFINITION
- Salty (taste). Used to describe food that has a prominent salty flavor, whether naturally or due to added salt.
Let's look at some examples to get a better feel for it:
このスープはちょっとしょっぱいですね。(Kono suupu wa chotto shoppai desu ne.)
Hint: This soup is a little salty, isn't it?
日本の漬物はよくしょっぱいです。(Nihon no tsukemono wa yoku shoppai desu.)
Hint: Japanese pickles are often salty.
ポテトチップスはしょっぱいから、ついつい食べすぎちゃう。(Poteto chippusu wa shoppai kara, tsuitsui tabesugichau.)
Hint: Potato chips are salty, so I end up eating too many.
もう少し塩を減らして、しょっぱくない方が好きです。(Mou sukoshi shio o herashite, shoppakunai hou ga suki desu.)
Hint: I prefer it less salty, with a little less salt.
Understanding しょっぱい is essential for describing food and expressing your preferences in Japanese. It's a simple word with a clear meaning, making it a great addition to your beginner vocabulary. Practice using it when you're talking about food, and you'll quickly become comfortable with it!
§ しょっぱい at Work
When you're at work in Japan, especially if you're involved in food service, sales, or just sharing snacks with colleagues, しょっぱい is a useful word. You might hear it when discussing food, or even in a more metaphorical sense.
この漬物、ちょっとしょっぱいですね。
This pickle is a little salty, isn't it? (You might say this politely to a coworker when trying a new product or a homemade snack.)
このラーメン、スープがすごくしょっぱくて、水が欲しくなる。
This ramen's soup is really salty; it makes me want water. (A common complaint you might overhear or make yourself during a lunch break.)
§ しょっぱい at School
At school, しょっぱい comes up in everyday conversations with friends, especially around lunchtime or during snack breaks. Kids and teenagers are often very direct about tastes.
今日のお弁当のおかず、ちょっとしょっぱいね。
The side dish in today's bento is a little salty, isn't it? (A common remark among students sharing lunch.)
このポテトチップス、すごくしょっぱいけど、美味しい！
These potato chips are really salty, but delicious! (A typical comment when sharing snacks with friends.)
- DEFINITION
- しょっぱい (shoppai): salty (taste). It's an い-adjective, so it conjugates like other い-adjectives.
§ しょっぱい in the News and Media
While you won't hear しょっぱい in a serious political report, it's very common in:
- Cooking shows and food reviews
- Casual interviews or human interest stories where people talk about their daily lives and food
- Dramas and variety shows where characters are eating or reacting to food
この店の名物料理は、少ししょっぱい味が特徴です。
This restaurant's specialty dish is characterized by a slightly salty taste. (A line you might hear from a food critic or a reviewer.)
彼は、厳しい試合に敗れて、しょっぱい顔をしていた。
He had a bitter/grim expression after losing the tough match. (This is a more figurative use, where しょっぱい can mean 'grim' or 'bitter' when describing an expression, usually after a disappointing event. While the primary meaning is 'salty,' it's good to be aware of this extended usage.)
§ What is しょっぱい (Shoppai)?
When you want to describe something as 'salty' in Japanese, the go-to adjective is しょっぱい (shoppai). This word is specifically used for the taste of food or drink. It's a common and practical word you'll hear often in daily conversation, especially when talking about meals.
- DEFINITION
- salty (taste)
このスープはちょっとしょっぱいですね。
Hint: This soup is a little salty, isn't it?
しょっぱいものが食べたくなりました。
Hint: I started to want to eat something salty.
§ Similar Words and When to Use Them
While しょっぱい is the most common word for salty taste, there are a couple of other words you might encounter. Understanding the nuances will help you use them correctly.
塩辛い (shiokarai): This is another adjective for 'salty'. Historically, 塩辛い was more common, and you will still see it. However, しょっぱい has become more prevalent in casual conversation and often feels more natural. 塩辛い can sometimes carry a nuance of being 'very salty' or 'too salty', sometimes unpleasantly so, though it's not always the case. Think of it as a slightly more formal or traditional way to say salty.
この漬物は少し塩辛いです。
Hint: These pickles are a little salty (or sometimes, too salty).
塩 (shio): This is the noun for 'salt'. While not an adjective describing taste, you'll often hear it in phrases like 塩味 (shiomi) which means 'salty taste' or 'salt flavor'. You might say 塩味のポテトチップス (shiomi no poteto chippusu) for 'salty potato chips'. However, you wouldn't use 塩 directly to describe food as 'salty' in the same way you use しょっぱい.
この料理は塩が足りない。
Hint: This dish doesn't have enough salt.
§ When to Use しょっぱい
For most everyday situations, しょっぱい is your best choice. It's versatile and widely understood. If you are ordering food at a restaurant and find it too salty, or describing a snack to a friend, しょっぱい is the natural word to use.
You can also use しょっぱい to express a slightly negative feeling towards the saltiness, if it's borderline too much, without it being overtly critical. For instance, 「このラーメンはちょっとしょっぱいかな」 (Kono ramen wa chotto shoppai kana) means "This ramen is a little salty, perhaps?" and conveys a gentle observation.
In summary, しょっぱい is the practical, everyday word for 'salty' taste. While 塩辛い exists and can be used, しょっぱい is generally preferred in modern, casual speech. Remember that 塩 is the noun for 'salt' itself.
Wusstest du?
While 'karai' can mean salty, 'shoppai' specifically refers to a salty taste, distinguishing it from spicy hotness.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
short word, common kana
short word, common kana
simple pronunciation
clear pronunciation
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
い-adjectives like しょっぱい can directly modify a noun.
しょっぱいポテトチップス (Salty potato chips)
To make an い-adjective into an adverb, you change the ending い to く.
しょっぱくする (To make something salty)
To form the negative of an い-adjective, you change the ending い to くない.
しょっぱくない (Not salty)
To connect two い-adjectives, you change the first い-adjective's ending い to くて.
このスープはしょっぱくて、おいしくない。(This soup is salty and not delicious.)
When using an い-adjective in a polite sentence, add です after the adjective.
この料理はしょっぱいです。(This dish is salty.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
このスープはちょっとしょっぱいですね。
This soup is a little salty, isn't it?
しょっぱい味が好きですか？
Do you like salty tastes?
この魚はしょっぱいですが、美味しいです。
This fish is salty, but delicious.
しょっぱいものを食べると、水が飲みたくなります。
When you eat salty things, you want to drink water.
しょっぱい漬物はご飯によく合います。
Salty pickles go well with rice.
私の好きなスナックはしょっぱいです。
My favorite snacks are salty.
このソースはとてもしょっぱいです。
This sauce is very salty.
しょっぱい食べ物を食べすぎると、体に良くありません。
Eating too much salty food is not good for your body.
このスープはちょっとしょっぱいですね。
This soup is a little salty, isn't it?
しょっぱい味が好きなので、いつも塩を多めに使います。
I like salty flavors, so I always use a lot of salt.
この漬物はかなりしょっぱいから、ご飯と一緒に食べましょう。
These pickles are quite salty, so let's eat them with rice.
しょっぱいお菓子も甘いお菓子も、どちらも好きです。
I like both salty snacks and sweet snacks.
母の作った料理は、いつも少ししょっぱいです。
My mother's cooking is always a little salty.
ラーメンのスープがしょっぱすぎて、全部飲めませんでした。
The ramen broth was too salty, so I couldn't drink it all.
この魚は塩焼きだから、きっとしょっぱいでしょう。
This fish is salt-grilled, so it's probably salty.
しょっぱいものが食べたくなった時は、ポテトチップスを買います。
When I crave something salty, I buy potato chips.
このスープはちょっとしょっぱいですね。塩を入れすぎたかもしれません。
This soup is a little salty, isn't it? I might have added too much salt.
しょっぱい (shoppai) is an i-adjective. 「～すぎる」 (-sugiru) means 'too much'.
しょっぱいものが食べたくなるとき、いつもポテトチップスを買ってしまいます。
When I crave something salty, I always end up buying potato chips.
「～たくなる」 (-takunaru) means 'to become wanting to...' or 'to start craving'.
日本の漬物はしょっぱいですが、ご飯によく合います。
Japanese pickles are salty, but they go well with rice.
「～に合う」 (-ni au) means 'to suit' or 'to go well with'.
彼の話はいつもオチがしょっぱくて、笑えない。
His jokes always have a flat/disappointing punchline, so I can't laugh.
In this context, しょっぱい (shoppai) is used figuratively to mean 'disappointing' or 'flat'.
汗をかいた後、しょっぱいものが欲しくなりますよね。
After sweating, you start wanting salty things, don't you?
「～の後」 (-no ato) means 'after...'. 「～ですよね」 (-desu yo ne) is a tag question, seeking agreement.
この鮭はしょっぱすぎて、お茶漬けにしないと食べられない。
This salmon is too salty; I can't eat it without putting it in ochazuke (rice with tea).
「～すぎる」 (-sugiru) means 'too much'. 「～しないと～ない」 (-shinai to ~nai) means 'if you don't do ~, you can't ~'.
彼女の顔はしょっぱくて、何か悲しいことがあったのかなと心配になった。
Her face looked distressed/sour, and I worried if something sad had happened to her.
Figurative use of しょっぱい (shoppai) to describe a 'sour' or 'distressed' expression. 「～のかな」 (-no kana) indicates wonder or slight uncertainty.
最近、健康のためにしょっぱい食べ物を控えるようにしています。
Lately, for my health, I'm trying to cut back on salty foods.
「～のために」 (-no tame ni) means 'for the sake of...'. 「～ようにする」 (-yō ni suru) means 'to try to do something' or 'to make an effort to do something'.
このスープは少ししょっぱいですが、野菜の甘みが引き立っていますね。
This soup is a little salty, but it really brings out the sweetness of the vegetables, doesn't it?
おばあちゃんが作る漬物はいつも程よくしょっぱくて、ご飯が進みます。
The pickles my grandma makes are always perfectly salty, and they make me want to eat more rice.
レストランの料理は全体的に味が濃くて、特に魚料理はかなりしょっぱかった。
The restaurant's food was generally strongly flavored, and the fish dish in particular was quite salty.
汗をかいた後には、しょっぱいものが無性に食べたくなります。
After sweating, I get an irresistible craving for something salty.
このおせんべいはしょっぱい中にほんのり甘みもあって、つい手が伸びてしまいます。
These rice crackers are salty with a hint of sweetness, and I just can't stop eating them.
健康のために塩分を控えたいのですが、ついついしょっぱいものを選んでしまいます。
I want to cut down on salt for my health, but I always end up choosing salty foods.
彼の冗談はいつも少ししょっぱいけれど、どこか憎めない魅力がある。
His jokes are always a bit dry/sarcastic, but there's something endearing about them.
Here, 'しょっぱい' is used metaphorically to mean 'dry' or 'sarcastic' when describing a joke.
海で泳いだ後は、口の中にしょっぱい味が残りますね。
After swimming in the ocean, a salty taste lingers in your mouth, doesn't it?
このスープは少ししょっぱいですが、それがまた美味しいんです。
This soup is a little salty, but that's what makes it delicious.
しょっぱいものが無性に食べたくなる時ってありませんか？
Don't you ever get an uncontrollable craving for something salty?
無性に〜たくなる (むしょうに〜たくなる) expresses an uncontrollable urge or craving.
しょっぱいお菓子と甘いお菓子の組み合わせは、最強だと思います。
I think the combination of salty snacks and sweet snacks is the best.
最強 (さいきょう) means 'the strongest' or 'the best'.
汗をかいた後には、しょっぱいものが体に染み渡ります。
After sweating, salty things really hit the spot.
染み渡る (しみわたる) means to soak in or permeate.
彼は涙でしょっぱい顔をしていた。
He had a salty expression on his face from crying.
しょっぱい顔 (しょっぱいかお) can metaphorically describe a tear-stained or sad face.
この漬物は伝統的な製法で作られていて、かなりしょっぱいですよ。
This pickle is made with traditional methods, so it's quite salty.
製法 (せいほう) means 'manufacturing method' or 'process'.
しょっぱいだけの料理ではなく、旨味も感じられる一品です。
It's not just a salty dish; it's also one where you can feel the umami.
旨味 (うまみ) refers to savory deliciousness, often called umami.
しょっぱい味付けは、お酒のおつまみにぴったりですね。
Salty seasoning is perfect for snacks with alcohol.
おつまみ (おつまみ) refers to snacks or appetizers eaten with alcoholic drinks.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
このスープはしょっぱい。
This soup is salty.
味がしょっぱい。
The taste is salty.
しょっぱいものが食べたい。
I want to eat something salty.
ちょっとしょっぱいですね。
It's a little salty, isn't it?
しょっぱくて美味しい。
Salty and delicious.
しょっぱいから水を飲みたい。
It's salty, so I want to drink water.
この料理はしょっぱすぎます。
This dish is too salty.
しょっぱいのが好き。
I like salty things.
しょっぱくないですか？
Isn't it salty?
しょっぱいけど、美味しい。
It's salty, but delicious.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While 'しょっぱい' is broadly salty, '塩辛い' emphasizes a strong, often intense saltiness, typical of preserved or heavily seasoned foods. Think of 'しょっぱい' as generally salty, and '塩辛い' as *very* salty, sometimes to the point of being overwhelming.
This term means lightly seasoned or bland. It's the opposite of 'しょっぱい' or '塩辛い', so understanding it helps contextualize the saltiness. '薄味' can also imply a subtle, refined taste, not just lack of salt.
This is a compound adjective meaning 'sweet and salty.' Understanding this helps clarify that 'しょっぱい' specifically refers to the salty component in combined flavors.
Grammatikmuster
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"塩辛い (しおからい)"
Salty (general term for salty taste)
この漬物は塩辛いですね。(Kono tsukemono wa shiokarai desu ne.) - These pickles are salty, aren't they?
neutral"塩っぱい (しょっぱい)"
Salty (often used for food that is too salty or unpleasantly salty, but can also just mean salty)
このスープはちょっとしょっぱい。(Kono sūpu wa chotto shoppai.) - This soup is a bit salty.
neutral"塩加減 (しおかげん)"
Amount of salt; seasoning (especially salt)
この料理は塩加減がちょうどいい。(Kono ryōri wa shiokagen ga chōdo ii.) - This dish has just the right amount of salt.
neutral"塩分 (えんぶん)"
Salt content
この食品は塩分が高い。(Kono shokuhin wa enbun ga takai.) - This food has high salt content.
neutral"塩気が強い (しおけが強い)"
Strongly salty, very salty
この干物は塩気が強いですね。(Kono himono wa shioke ga tsuyoi desu ne.) - This dried fish is very salty, isn't it?
neutral"塩を振る (しおをふる)"
To sprinkle salt
肉に塩を振って焼く。(Niku ni shio o futte yaku.) - Sprinkle salt on the meat and grill it.
neutral"塩味 (しおあじ)"
Salty taste
このポテトチップスは塩味がおいしい。(Kono potetochippusu wa shioaji ga oishii.) - These potato chips have a delicious salty taste.
neutral"塩梅 (あんばい)"
Condition, state; seasoning (archaic, but still used in some contexts, especially for 'just right' seasoning)
ちょうど良い塩梅に仕上がった。(Chōdo yoi anbai ni shiagatta.) - It's seasoned just right.
neutral"塩辛い話 (しおからいはなし)"
A sad/bitter story (figurative use of salty)
彼の人生は塩辛い話が多い。(Kare no jinsei wa shiokarai hanashi ga ooi.) - His life has many bitter stories.
informal"塩を舐める (しおをなめる)"
To lick salt; to endure hardships (figurative)
若いうちは塩をなめる経験も必要だ。(Wakai uchi wa shio o nameru keiken mo hitsuyō da.) - It's necessary to experience hardships when you're young.
informalLeicht verwechselbar
Many English speakers confuse 'しょっぱい' with other Japanese adjectives describing taste, especially '塩辛い' (shiokarai). While both relate to saltiness, they have distinct nuances and usage contexts.
'しょっぱい' primarily describes something that tastes salty in a general, often pleasant or expected way, like potato chips or ramen broth. It can also describe a food that is *too* salty. '塩辛い' specifically emphasizes a strong, often *overwhelming* saltiness, typical of preserved foods like pickles or salted fish, where the salt is a dominant, sometimes harsh, flavor.
ポテトチップスはしょっぱいですね。 (Potato chips are salty, aren't they? - General, expected saltiness)
Often confused with '甘ったるい' (amattarui). Both mean sweet, but with different connotations.
'甘い' is a general term for sweet, often positive. '甘ったるい' implies excessively or cloyingly sweet, often with a negative nuance.
このケーキは甘くて美味しいです。 (This cake is sweet and delicious. - General sweetness)
Can be confused with 'きつい' (kitsui) when describing something 'strong' or 'harsh,' but in terms of taste.
'辛い' specifically means spicy or hot (taste). 'きつい' can mean strong (like alcohol), tight (clothing), or difficult, but not spicy for food.
このカレーはとても辛いです。 (This curry is very spicy. - Spicy taste)
Sometimes learners might mistakenly use 'すっぱい' for bitter things if they confuse the sensation.
'酸っぱい' means sour or acidic, like lemons or vinegar. Bitter is '苦い' (nigai).
レモンは酸っぱい果物です。 (Lemons are sour fruits. - Sour taste)
Less confusion with other taste adjectives, but sometimes learners might struggle to differentiate it from '辛い' (karai) if they don't fully grasp the distinction between bitter and spicy.
'苦い' means bitter, like coffee or dark chocolate. '辛い' means spicy.
この薬は苦いです。 (This medicine is bitter. - Bitter taste)
Satzmuster
これはしょっぱいです。
This is salty.
そのスープはしょっぱい。
That soup is salty.
この料理は少ししょっぱい。
This dish is a little salty.
しょっぱい味がします。
It tastes salty. (Literally: A salty taste is felt.)
しょっぱい食べ物が好きです。
I like salty foods.
しょっぱいですね。
It's salty, isn't it?
塩辛くて、ちょっとしょっぱい。
It's salty and a bit too salty. (Using another word for salty to emphasize degree)
この漬物はしょっぱすぎて食べられません。
This pickled vegetable is too salty to eat.
So verwendest du es
しょっぱい (shoppai) is a common adjective used to describe a salty taste. It's typically used for food that tastes specifically salty, rather than just savory. For example, you'd use it for something like pickles or salted fish.
Key points:
- Use しょっぱい for things that are literally salty, like the taste of salt.
- It can also be used figuratively to describe something that is unpleasant or disappointing, similar to how 'salty' can be used in English to describe someone being bitter. However, for language learners, focus on the taste first.
A common mistake is confusing しょっぱい with other taste adjectives, particularly からい (karai) or うまい (umai).
- からい (karai): This means spicy or hot (as in chili hot), not salty. While some spicy foods can also be salty, the primary meaning of からい is spiciness.
- うまい (umai): This generally means delicious or good-tasting. While salty food can be delicious, うまい describes the overall pleasantness, not the specific salty flavor.
So, if you want to say something is salty, stick with しょっぱい!
Wortherkunft
From '塩っぱい' (shioppai), combining '塩' (shio, salt) and '辛い' (karai, spicy/salty).
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Salty taste.
JaponicKultureller Kontext
When describing food in Japan, 'しょっぱい' (shoppai) is a very common and direct way to say something is salty. It's often used when discussing traditional Japanese pickles (tsukemono), miso soup, or soy sauce-based dishes. Understanding this word is key for discussing food preferences and culinary experiences in Japan.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Eating ramen at a restaurant
- このラーメン、しょっぱいですね。(This ramen is salty, isn't it?)
- ちょっとしょっぱいけど、美味しいです。(It's a little salty, but delicious.)
- もう少し塩分を控えてほしいです。(I'd like a little less salt.)
Trying a new snack
- このお菓子、しょっぱい！(This snack is salty!)
- しょっぱいものが食べたかったんだ。(I wanted to eat something salty.)
- 甘いものよりしょっぱいものが好きです。(I prefer salty things over sweet things.)
Discussing homemade cooking
- お味噌汁がしょっぱすぎました。(The miso soup was too salty.)
- これはちょうどいいしょっぱさです。(This is just the right saltiness.)
- しょっぱくないですか？(Isn't it salty?)
Ordering food with dietary preferences
- しょっぱくないようにしてください。(Please make it not salty.)
- 薄味でお願いします。(Please make it lightly seasoned.)
- 塩分控えめでお願いします。(Please make it low in salt.)
Describing something tasting like seawater
- 海の味がして、しょっぱい。(It tastes like the sea, salty.)
- 汗がしょっぱいです。(My sweat is salty.)
- 涙はしょっぱい。(Tears are salty.)
Gesprächseinstiege
"一番好きなしょっぱい食べ物は何ですか？(What's your favorite salty food?)"
"しょっぱいものと甘いもの、どちらが好きですか？(Do you prefer salty or sweet things?)"
"最近食べたしょっぱいもので、美味しかったものはありますか？(Is there anything salty you've eaten recently that was delicious?)"
"料理するとき、味付けはしょっぱい派ですか、薄味派ですか？(When you cook, do you tend to make it salty or lightly seasoned?)"
"日本の食べ物で、しょっぱいと感じたものはありますか？(Have you encountered any Japanese foods that you found salty?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
今日、何かしょっぱいものを食べましたか？それはどんな味でしたか？(Did you eat anything salty today? What did it taste like?)
あなたが作る料理で、しょっぱくしすぎた失敗談を教えてください。(Tell me about a time you made a dish too salty.)
しょっぱい味について、文化的な違いを感じたことはありますか？(Have you ever felt cultural differences regarding salty taste?)
あなたが考える「完璧なしょっぱさ」とはどんな味ですか？具体的な食べ物を挙げて説明してください。(What do you consider the "perfect saltiness"? Describe it with specific foods.)
もししょっぱい味がない世界だったら、どんな変化があると思いますか？(If there were no salty taste in the world, what changes do you think there would be?)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragenしょっぱい (shoppai) means 'salty' in Japanese. It describes the taste of something that has a high salt content.
You can use しょっぱい just like you would use 'salty' in English. For example, 「このスープはしょっぱいです。」(Kono sūpu wa shoppai desu.) means "This soup is salty."
Primarily, しょっぱい is used to describe the taste of food. However, sometimes it can be used metaphorically to describe a situation that is disappointing or a bit harsh, similar to how we might say something is a 'bit rough' or 'sour' in English, but this usage is less common for learners to encounter initially.
しょっぱい is specifically for 'salty' taste. あまい (amai) is 'sweet', からい (karai) is 'spicy' or 'hot', and すっぱい (suppai) is 'sour'. Each word describes a distinct taste.
Yes, you can! The ocean tastes salty, so you can say 「海の水はしょっぱいです。」(Umi no mizu wa shoppai desu.) meaning "The ocean water is salty."
To make it negative, you change it to しょっぱくない (shoppakunai). For example, 「この料理はしょっぱくないです。」(Kono ryōri wa shoppakunai desu.) means "This dish is not salty."
Yes, it's a very common adjective, especially when talking about food. You'll hear it often in restaurants, kitchens, and during meals.
Yes, you can use adverbs to modify しょっぱい. For example, 「少ししょっぱい」(sukoshi shoppai) means 'a little salty', and 「とてもしょっぱい」(totemo shoppai) means 'very salty'.
While しょっぱい is often written in hiragana, its kanji form is 塩っぱい. However, the hiragana form is much more commonly used, especially in everyday writing and speaking.
Yes, you can. You can say 「しょっぱすぎます。」(Shoppasugimasu.) which means "It's too salty." The suffix ～すぎます (sugimasu) indicates 'too much' or 'excessive'.
Teste dich selbst 102 Fragen
このスープは少し＿＿＿。
このスープは少ししょっぱい (Kono sūpu wa sukoshi shoppai) means 'This soup is a little salty.'
このお菓子はとても＿＿＿ですね。
このお菓子はとてもしょっぱいですね (Kono okashi wa totemo shoppai desu ne) means 'This snack is very salty, isn't it?'
塩を入れすぎたので、味が＿＿＿なりました。
塩を入れすぎたので、味がしょっぱくなりました (Shio o iresugita node, aji ga shoppaku narimashita) means 'I put in too much salt, so the taste became salty.'
これは＿＿＿いものですか？
これはしょっぱいものですか？ (Kore wa shoppai mono desu ka?) means 'Is this a salty thing?'
海の水はとても＿＿＿です。
海の水はとてもしょっぱいです (Umi no mizu wa totemo shoppai desu) means 'Seawater is very salty.'
その漬物は少し＿＿＿。
その漬物は少ししょっぱい (Sono tsukemono wa sukoshi shoppai) means 'That pickled vegetable is a little salty.'
You just ate a very salty snack. Describe how it tastes in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このスナックはとてもしょっぱいです。おいしくないです。
Imagine you are explaining to a friend that the soup is salty. How would you say this in Japanese?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このスープはしょっぱいです。
You are at a restaurant and the food is too salty. How would you tell the waiter, politely, that it's salty?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
すみません、この料理は少ししょっぱいです。
What does B think about the snack?
Read this passage:
A: このお菓子、どうですか？ B: うーん、これはちょっとしょっぱいですね。 A: そうですか。私もそう思います。
What does B think about the snack?
B says 'これはちょっとしょっぱいですね' which means 'This is a little salty.'
B says 'これはちょっとしょっぱいですね' which means 'This is a little salty.'
What is the speaker worried about regarding ramen?
Read this passage:
私はラーメンが好きですが、たまにしんぱいになります。なぜなら、ラーメンはよくしょっぱいからです。体に良くないかもしれません。
What is the speaker worried about regarding ramen?
The passage says 'ラーメンはよくしょっぱいからです' which means 'because ramen is often salty.'
The passage says 'ラーメンはよくしょっぱいからです' which means 'because ramen is often salty.'
What does Sato-san think about the pickles?
Read this passage:
田中さん: この漬物、おいしいですね。 佐藤さん: ええ、でも、少ししょっぱくないですか？ 田中さん: そうですね。でも、ご飯によく合います。
What does Sato-san think about the pickles?
Sato-san says '少ししょっぱくないですか？' which means 'Isn't it a little salty?'
Sato-san says '少ししょっぱくないですか？' which means 'Isn't it a little salty?'
This sentence means 'This soup is salty.' In Japanese, the word order is generally Topic-Comment. 'この' (kono) means 'this', 'スープ' (sūpu) means 'soup', 'は' (wa) is a topic particle, and 'しょっぱいです' (shoppai desu) means 'is salty'.
This sentence means 'This dish is a little salty.' 'この' (kono) means 'this', '料理' (ryōri) means 'dish', 'は' (wa) is a topic particle, '少し' (sukoshi) means 'a little', and 'しょっぱいです' (shoppai desu) means 'is salty'.
This sentence means 'I like salty food.' '私' (watashi) means 'I', 'は' (wa) is a topic particle, 'しょっぱい' (shoppai) means 'salty', '食べ物' (tabemono) means 'food', 'が' (ga) is a subject particle, and '好きです' (suki desu) means 'like'.
このスープは少し＿＿＿ですね。
The sentence means 'This soup is a little salty, isn't it?' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
ポテトチップスはよく＿＿＿です。
The sentence means 'Potato chips are often salty.' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
このお魚はとても＿＿＿です。
The sentence means 'This fish is very salty.' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
ラーメンは少し＿＿＿ほうが好きです。
The sentence means 'I prefer ramen a little salty.' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
お味噌汁は日本の伝統的な＿＿＿味のスープです。
The sentence means 'Miso soup is a traditional Japanese salty-tasting soup.' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
海の水は＿＿＿ので飲めません。
The sentence means 'Sea water is salty, so you can't drink it.' 'しょっぱい' means salty.
Choose the correct description for しょっぱい (shoppai):
しょっぱい (shoppai) specifically refers to a salty taste.
Which food is most likely to be described as しょっぱい (shoppai)?
French fries are typically salty, making them a good example of something しょっぱい (shoppai).
If something is しょっぱい (shoppai), what does it taste like?
しょっぱい (shoppai) means salty, so it has a しおあじ (shioaji).
しょっぱい (shoppai) means something is very sweet.
しょっぱい (shoppai) means salty, not sweet.
When you eat too much salt, the taste is しょっぱい (shoppai).
しょっぱい (shoppai) describes the taste of saltiness.
レモン (remon - lemon) is a good example of something しょっぱい (shoppai).
Lemons are sour (すっぱい - suppai), not salty (しょっぱい - shoppai).
This soup is salty. The basic sentence structure is Subject-Object-Verb, and 'しょっぱい' (salty) modifies the noun 'スープ' (soup).
Those pickles are a little salty, aren't they? '少し' (a little) modifies 'しょっぱい' (salty), and 'ね' (isn't it?) is a common sentence-ending particle for agreement.
I put in too much salt, so the taste became salty. 'しょっぱい' (salty) can be used to describe taste, and 'しょっぱくなった' indicates a change in state.
Choose the correct adjective to describe something that tastes like the sea.
しょっぱい (shoppai) specifically means 'salty'. The other options mean 'sweet', 'spicy', and 'sour' respectively.
Which of these foods is most likely to be described as しょっぱい (shoppai)?
French fries are typically salty. Chocolate is sweet, lemon is sour, and strawberries are sweet.
The soup was so しょっぱい (shoppai) that I had to add water. What does this imply about the soup's taste?
If the soup was so salty that you needed to add water, it means it was too salty.
If a dish is described as しょっぱい (shoppai), it means it has a lot of sugar.
しょっぱい (shoppai) means 'salty', not 'sweet' (which would be あまい - amai).
You can use しょっぱい (shoppai) to describe the taste of ocean water.
Ocean water is salty, so しょっぱい (shoppai) is an appropriate adjective.
A dish that is しょっぱい (shoppai) would pair well with a very sweet drink.
Salty and sweet flavors often complement each other, such as salted caramel or salty snacks with sweet drinks.
Is this soup a little salty?
I like salty flavors, so I'll choose this one.
This snack is very salty, isn't it?
Read this aloud:
この料理はしょっぱすぎます。
Focus: しょっぱすぎます (shoppasugimasu)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
しょっぱいものが食べたくなります。
Focus: しょっぱいものが (shoppai mono ga)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
塩を入れすぎたので、しょっぱいです。
Focus: 入れすぎたので (iresugita node)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're at a restaurant. Describe a dish that is too salty for your taste. How would you politely express this to the waiter in Japanese?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
すみません、このスープは少ししょっぱいです。もう少し薄味にできますか？ (Excuse me, this soup is a bit salty. Could you make it a little milder?)
You are cooking a Japanese dish and accidentally add too much soy sauce, making it very salty. What can you add or do to fix it? Write your solution in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
醤油を入れすぎてしまって、味がしょっぱくなりました。水を少し加えるか、砂糖を少し入れて味を調整します。(I added too much soy sauce and the taste became salty. I will add a little water or a little sugar to adjust the taste.)
Describe a memory where you ate something surprisingly salty. Where were you and what was the food? How did you react?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
子どもの頃、初めて梅干しを食べた時、とてもしょっぱくてびっくりしました。顔がすっぱくなりました。(When I was a child, the first time I ate umeboshi, it was so salty that I was surprised. My face puckered.)
なぜBさんは、しょっぱいラーメンが美味しいかもしれないと言っていますか？ (Why does B say the salty ramen might be delicious?)
Read this passage:
A: このラーメン、ちょっとしょっぱいね。 B: うん、私もそう思う。でも、暑い日にはこのくらいしょっぱい方が美味しいかもしれないよ。 A: 確かに。汗をたくさんかいたから、塩分が欲しくなるね。
なぜBさんは、しょっぱいラーメンが美味しいかもしれないと言っていますか？ (Why does B say the salty ramen might be delicious?)
Bさんは「暑い日にはこのくらいしょっぱい方が美味しいかもしれない」と言っています。(B says 'on a hot day, this level of saltiness might be more delicious.')
Bさんは「暑い日にはこのくらいしょっぱい方が美味しいかもしれない」と言っています。(B says 'on a hot day, this level of saltiness might be more delicious.')
筆者はなぜ次回、違うお漬物を選ぼうと思っていますか？ (Why does the author intend to choose different pickles next time?)
Read this passage:
スーパーで買ったお漬物が、予想以上にしょっぱかった。ご飯と一緒に食べるとちょうどいいけれど、単独で食べるのは少しきつい。次回は、もう少し塩分が控えめなものを選ぼうと思った。
筆者はなぜ次回、違うお漬物を選ぼうと思っていますか？ (Why does the author intend to choose different pickles next time?)
「予想以上にしょっぱかった」とあり、次回は「もう少し塩分が控えめなものを選ぼう」と書かれています。(It says 'they were saltier than expected' and next time 'they intend to choose something with less salt.')
「予想以上にしょっぱかった」とあり、次回は「もう少し塩分が控えめなものを選ぼう」と書かれています。(It says 'they were saltier than expected' and next time 'they intend to choose something with less salt.')
筆者が「残念な気持ちになった」のはなぜですか？ (Why did the author feel 'disappointed'?)
Read this passage:
海外旅行中、現地のレストランで魚料理を注文しました。見た目はとても美味しそうでしたが、一口食べると、驚くほどしょっぱかったです。文化の違いか、それともシェフのミスか、少し残念な気持ちになりました。
筆者が「残念な気持ちになった」のはなぜですか？ (Why did the author feel 'disappointed'?)
「一口食べると、驚くほどしょっぱかったです。少し残念な気持ちになりました」と書かれています。(It says 'when I took a bite, it was surprisingly salty. I felt a little disappointed.')
「一口食べると、驚くほどしょっぱかったです。少し残念な気持ちになりました」と書かれています。(It says 'when I took a bite, it was surprisingly salty. I felt a little disappointed.')
このお味噌汁は味が濃いですね。ちょっと___。
お味噌汁の味が濃い場合、「しょっぱい」を使って塩辛さを表現します。
フライドポテトには塩をかけすぎると、___なります。
「しょっぱく」は「しょっぱい」の連用形（副詞的に使う形）で、「〜なる」の前によく使われます。
この漬物は塩漬けだから、かなり___よ。
塩漬けのものは一般的に塩辛いので、「しょっぱい」が適切です。
「しょっぱい」は甘い味を表す形容詞です。
「しょっぱい」は塩辛い味を表す形容詞です。
ラーメンのスープが濃すぎる時に「しょっぱい」と表現することができます。
ラーメンのスープの塩味が強い場合、「しょっぱい」と表現するのは適切です。
「しょっぱい」はポジティブな感情を表す言葉です。
「しょっぱい」は主に食べ物の塩辛さに対して使われ、必ずしもポジティブな感情を表すわけではありません。むしろ、塩味が強すぎる場合に不満を表すことがあります。
The soup is a little salty, but that's what makes it delicious. Pay attention to the nuanced feeling of 'salty'.
His cooking is always a little salty, which makes you want to eat more rice. Listen for how 'salty' relates to appetite.
Do you prefer your pickles salty, or lightly seasoned? Distinguish between 'salty' and 'lightly seasoned'.
Read this aloud:
このラーメンはしょっぱいですが、やみつきになります。
Focus: しょっぱい (shoppai)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
海の水を飲むと、とてもしょっぱいです。
Focus: しょっぱいです (shoppai desu)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
少ししょっぱいと感じるくらいが、ちょうどいい味付けです。
Focus: 少ししょっぱい (sukoshi shoppai)
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'This ramen is a little salty, isn't it?' The particles 'は' and 'ね' help connect the subject and express a mild agreement or observation.
This translates to 'Grandma's pickles are always salty, but delicious.' '～けど' is a common way to express 'but' or 'although' in Japanese.
The sentence means 'When I tried drinking seawater, it was saltier than I imagined.' The '～てみたら' form indicates trying something and discovering the result.
The soup is a little salty, but that's what makes it delicious. Listen for 'salty'.
The food he cooks is always a little salty, and it makes me want to eat more rice. Listen for 'salty'.
These pickles are salty, but they go well with ochazuke. Listen for 'salty'.
Read this aloud:
この味噌汁はしょっぱいですか？
Focus: しょっぱい
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
味がしょっぱいと感じたら、水を加えてください。
Focus: しょっぱい
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
しょっぱいものが無性に食べたくなります。
Focus: しょっぱい
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're at a famous ramen shop. Describe the ramen you just ate, focusing on its saltiness and overall flavor profile. Use 'しょっぱい' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このラーメンは本当にしょっぱくて、でもそれがまた食欲をそそるんです。スープの深い味が麺によく絡んで、とてもおいしかったです。特に、チャーシューもしょっぱめの味付けで、ご飯が進む一品でした。
You are discussing traditional Japanese pickles (漬物) with a friend. Explain why some pickles are intentionally very salty and how that saltiness contributes to their preservation and flavor. Use 'しょっぱい' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日本の伝統的な漬物は、しょっぱいものがたくさんありますよね。あれは塩分によって食材の水分を抜き、腐敗を防ぐ保存食としての役割が大きいんです。最初はしょっぱいと感じるかもしれませんが、その塩味が素材本来の旨味を引き出し、深みのある味わいになるんですよ。
You've just tried a new snack from an overseas trip. Write a short review describing its taste, specifically mentioning if it's too salty or just right. Use 'しょっぱい' to express the salty aspect.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、海外旅行で買ってきた新しいスナック菓子を試してみました。一口食べると、かなりしょっぱいと感じましたね。でも、その塩味が後を引いて、ついついもう一つと手が伸びてしまう中毒性があります。ビールのおつまみには最高かもしれませんが、もう少し塩分控えめでもいいかもしれません。
この文章が指摘する、現代人の食生活における問題点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
ある研究によると、現代人の食生活は塩分摂取量が多くなりがちだという。特に加工食品や外食では、味が濃く、しょっぱいものが多いため、知らず知らずのうちに塩分を過剰に摂取している可能性がある。健康を考えると、意識的に塩分を控える食習慣を身につけることが重要である。
この文章が指摘する、現代人の食生活における問題点は何ですか？
文章中には「塩分摂取量が多くなりがちだ」「しょっぱいものが多いため、知らず知らずのうちに塩分を過剰に摂取している可能性がある」と明記されています。
文章中には「塩分摂取量が多くなりがちだ」「しょっぱいものが多いため、知らず知らずのうちに塩分を過剰に摂取している可能性がある」と明記されています。
昔ながらの梅干しが「しょっぱい」理由として、最も適切なものはどれですか？
Read this passage:
昔ながらの梅干しは、非常にしょっぱいことで知られています。これは、梅を塩漬けにすることで長期保存を可能にし、同時に独特の風味を生み出すためです。現代では減塩志向が高まり、しょっぱさ控えめの梅干しも増えましたが、伝統的な梅干しの深い味わいを好む人も少なくありません。
昔ながらの梅干しが「しょっぱい」理由として、最も適切なものはどれですか？
文章中に「梅を塩漬けにすることで長期保存を可能にし、同時に独特の風味を生み出すためです」と記載されています。
文章中に「梅を塩漬けにすることで長期保存を可能にし、同時に独特の風味を生み出すためです」と記載されています。
このパスタについて、筆者は最終的にどのように感じたと考えられますか？
Read this passage:
友人とランチに行った時、注文したパスタが想像以上にしょっぱくて驚いた。ウェイターに伝えると、すぐに作り直してくれるとのこと。しかし、せっかくのランチなので、少し我慢して食べることにした。塩分が強い料理でも、素材の旨味がしっかりしていれば美味しく感じることもあると改めて思った。
このパスタについて、筆者は最終的にどのように感じたと考えられますか？
「しょっぱくて驚いた」とありつつも、「少し我慢して食べることにした。塩分が強い料理でも、素材の旨味がしっかりしていれば美味しく感じることもあると改めて思った」と書かれているためです。
「しょっぱくて驚いた」とありつつも、「少し我慢して食べることにした。塩分が強い料理でも、素材の旨味がしっかりしていれば美味しく感じることもあると改めて思った」と書かれているためです。
あのレストランの料理はいつも少ししょっぱい気がする。
しょっぱい (shoppai) specifically refers to a salty taste.
しょっぱい味が好きなので、いつも塩を多めに入れます。
しょっぱい (shoppai) means salty. The second part of the sentence confirms the preference for salt.
海水はしょっぱいから、飲むことはできません。
海水 (kaisui) is seawater, which is known for being salty. Therefore, しょっぱい (shoppai) fits this context perfectly.
この漬物はしょっぱいので、ご飯によく合います。
しょっぱい (shoppai) means salty, and salty pickled foods (漬物, tsukemono) are traditionally eaten with rice (ご飯, gohan) in Japan.
「しょっぱい」は甘い味を表現する際に使われます。
「しょっぱい」 (shoppai) is used to describe a salty taste, not a sweet taste (甘い, amai).
涙の味はしょっぱいと表現されることがあります。
涙 (namida), or tears, are commonly described as salty (しょっぱい, shoppai) due to their composition.
The soup tastes good because it's salty.
Sometimes I really crave salty things.
Be careful not to make the dish too salty by adding too much soy sauce.
Read this aloud:
この漬物は少ししょっぱいですが、ご飯によく合います。
Focus: しょっぱい
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
運動した後は、しょっぱいものが欲しくなりますよね。
Focus: 欲しくなります
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
しょっぱいお菓子と甘いお菓子、どちらが好きですか？
Focus: しょっぱいお菓子
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're reviewing a new ramen shop. Describe a ramen dish you tried, focusing on its salty flavor and how it compared to your expectations. Use 'しょっぱい' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日オープンした新しいラーメン屋さんに行ってきました。頼んだ豚骨ラーメンは、期待通りとてもしょっぱくて、まさに求めていた味でした。スープの深みと塩味が絶妙にマッチしていて、一口飲むごとに満足感が広がります。
You are writing an email to a friend, recommending a Japanese snack. Describe a salty snack you enjoy, explaining what makes it good and where your friend can find it. Use 'しょっぱい' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近見つけた美味しいお菓子があるんだけど、知ってる？カルビーの「堅あげポテト」って言うんだけど、あのちょっとしょっぱい味がたまらないんだ。コンビニやスーパーで簡単に手に入るから、ぜひ試してみて！ビールにもよく合うよ。
Describe a time you accidentally made a dish too salty, and what you did to try and fix it. Use 'しょっぱい' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、味噌汁を作っていたら、うっかり味噌を入れすぎてしまって、すごくしょっぱくなってしまったんです。慌てて水を足したり、豆腐を多めに入れたりして、なんとか味を調整しました。次の日には美味しくなったので一安心でした。
AとBは何について話していますか？
Read this passage:
A: このせんべい、ちょっとしょっぱいですね。 B: そうですね。でも、それがまた癖になります。 A: お茶と一緒に食べるとちょうどいいかもしれませんね。 B: いいアイデアですね。
AとBは何について話していますか？
会話は「せんべい」の「しょっぱい」味について交わされています。
会話は「せんべい」の「しょっぱい」味について交わされています。
この文章で「しょっぱい」は何を形容していますか？
Read this passage:
海辺で食べるおにぎりは、潮風と相まって格別だ。特に、少ししょっぱい鮭のおにぎりは、疲れを癒してくれる。砂浜に座り、波の音を聞きながら食べるおにぎりは、まさに至福のひとときだ。
この文章で「しょっぱい」は何を形容していますか？
「少ししょっぱい鮭のおにぎり」と明記されています。
「少ししょっぱい鮭のおにぎり」と明記されています。
筆者が「しょっぱくなりすぎないように」気を配っている理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
最近、健康のために塩分を控えるようにしています。そのため、食事を作る際も、しょっぱくなりすぎないように気を配っています。特に加工食品は塩分が高いことが多いので、成分表示をよく確認するようにしています。
筆者が「しょっぱくなりすぎないように」気を配っている理由は何ですか？
「健康のために塩分を控えるようにしています」と記載されています。
「健康のために塩分を控えるようにしています」と記載されています。
/ 102 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
しょっぱい (shoppai) is the direct and common way to say 'salty' in Japanese, especially when talking about food.
- Use for salty taste.
- Commonly for food/drinks.
- A2 CEFR level word.
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr food Wörter
少々
B1A little; a few.
〜ほど
B1About; approximately; degree.
~ほど
B1About, approximately; to the extent of ~.
豊富な
B1Abundant, rich in.
ふんだんに
B1Lavishly; abundantly; generously (e.g., using ingredients).
足す
B1To add (e.g., to a sum, to ingredients).
添加物
B1Additive.
〜てから
B1After doing ~.
~てから
B1After doing (an action).
熟成させる
B1To age; to mature (food).
