Meaning
Food that has a hot and pungent taste.
Cultural Background
Traditional Japanese 'spice' is not chili-based. It uses wasabi, sansho, and ginger, which affect the nose and throat more than the tongue. The 'Gekikara' (extreme spice) trend is huge in urban Japan, with many restaurants offering 'Level 10' spice challenges. Much of the chili-based spicy food in Japan, like Kimchi and Sundubu, comes from Korean influence and is very popular. Okinawa has its own unique spice called 'Koregusu,' which is chili peppers soaked in Awamori liquor.
The Water Rule
If you find a dish too 'karai', drink milk or eat rice. Water often makes the 'karai' sensation worse!
Wasabi vs Chili
Remember that 'karai' covers both wasabi (nose-burn) and chili (tongue-burn). Don't be surprised if someone calls wasabi 'karai'!
Meaning
Food that has a hot and pungent taste.
The Water Rule
If you find a dish too 'karai', drink milk or eat rice. Water often makes the 'karai' sensation worse!
Wasabi vs Chili
Remember that 'karai' covers both wasabi (nose-burn) and chili (tongue-burn). Don't be surprised if someone calls wasabi 'karai'!
Check the Label
Look for the kanji 辛 on snack packages. If it's red and has a flame, it's definitely 'karai'!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: '{私|わたし}は( ){料理|りょうり}が{好|す}きです。'
I like spicy food.
'Karai' means spicy. 'Amai' is sweet, 'Akai' is red, and 'Samui' is cold (weather).
Fill in the blank with the correct negative form of '{辛|から}い'.
このカレーは{辛|から}( )です。(This curry is not spicy.)
To make an i-adjective negative, you drop the '-i' and add '-kunai'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You want to ask if a dish is spicy.
The first option correctly uses 'karai' to ask about spiciness.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {辛|から}い{料理|りょうり}は{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}ですか？ B: ( ), {好|す}きですよ。
Since B says they like it, the answer should be 'Yes' (Hai).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of {辛|から}い {料理|りょうり}
Chili-based
- • Curry
- • Ramen
- • Kimchi
Wasabi-based
- • Sushi
- • Soba
- • Steak
Mustard-based
- • Oden
- • Tonkatsu
- • Shumai
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI like spicy food.
'Karai' means spicy. 'Amai' is sweet, 'Akai' is red, and 'Samui' is cold (weather).
このカレーは{辛|から}( )です。(This curry is not spicy.)
To make an i-adjective negative, you drop the '-i' and add '-kunai'.
You want to ask if a dish is spicy.
The first option correctly uses 'karai' to ask about spiciness.
A: {辛|から}い{料理|りょうり}は{大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}ですか？ B: ( ), {好|す}きですよ。
Since B says they like it, the answer should be 'Yes' (Hai).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, in Japanese, the stinging sensation of wasabi is described as 'karai'.
You can say '{辛|から}くしないでください' (Karaku shinaide kudasai).
'Karai' is the adjective for food. 'Karakuchi' is used for levels (like on a menu) or to describe dry alcohol.
Because both sensations were historically viewed as a type of 'sharp' stimulation or suffering.
Generally no, compared to Thai or Indian food. Most 'karai' dishes in Japan are imported or fusion.
Yes, but it means they are 'strict' or 'harsh' in their judgment.
Related Phrases
{甘|あま}い{料理|りょうり}
contrastSweet food
{激辛|げきから}
specialized formExtremely spicy
{辛口|からくち}
similarDry/Spicy taste
{塩辛|しおから}い
similarSalty
{薬味|やくみ}
builds onCondiments
