Meaning
Statement indicating food or drink tastes unpleasant.
Cultural Background
The 'Social Mazui': In Japan, the word is often avoided to maintain 'Wa' (harmony). People use 'interesting taste' or 'it's unique' as euphemisms. TV Variety Shows: In Japanese food shows, celebrities almost never say 'mazui.' If they do, it's usually for a 'punishment game' (batsu game) involving bitter tea. When Japanese businessmen say 'Sore wa mazui desu ne,' they are signaling a serious problem that needs immediate attention, often without being aggressive. Slang evolution: 'Mazui' is sometimes shortened to 'Mazu' in text speech among Gen Z in Japan.
The Restaurant Rule
Never say 'mazui' loudly in a restaurant. It's considered extremely low-class behavior in Japan.
The 'Uh-oh' Face
When using 'mazui' for trouble, pair it with a sharp intake of breath for maximum naturalness.
Meaning
Statement indicating food or drink tastes unpleasant.
The Restaurant Rule
Never say 'mazui' loudly in a restaurant. It's considered extremely low-class behavior in Japan.
The 'Uh-oh' Face
When using 'mazui' for trouble, pair it with a sharp intake of breath for maximum naturalness.
Polite Rejection
If offered food you hate, say 'Nigate desu' ({苦手|にがて}です) - 'It's a weak point for me.'
Test Yourself
Choose the most appropriate response when you realize you forgot your passport at home.
あ、＿＿＿＿！パスポートを{家|いえ}に{忘|わす}れた！
'Mazui' is used as an exclamation when something goes wrong.
Complete the sentence to say 'This coffee tastes bad.'
このコーヒーはとても＿＿＿＿です。
The plain form of the i-adjective is used before 'desu'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are eating a very bitter vegetable for the first time with a close friend.
In a casual setting with a friend, 'Mazui!' is a natural reaction to bad-tasting food.
Fill in the blank in the dialogue.
A: この{料理|りょうり}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと＿＿＿＿ないね。
'Oishikunai' (not delicious) is the polite way to say something is 'mazui'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Mazui vs. Oishikunai
When to say 'Mazui!'
Taste
- • Bitter medicine
- • Expired milk
- • Weird snacks
Trouble
- • Forgot keys
- • Late for work
- • Sent wrong email
Practice Bank
4 exercisesあ、＿＿＿＿！パスポートを{家|いえ}に{忘|わす}れた！
'Mazui' is used as an exclamation when something goes wrong.
このコーヒーはとても＿＿＿＿です。
The plain form of the i-adjective is used before 'desu'.
Situation: You are eating a very bitter vegetable for the first time with a close friend.
In a casual setting with a friend, 'Mazui!' is a natural reaction to bad-tasting food.
A: この{料理|りょうり}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと＿＿＿＿ないね。
'Oishikunai' (not delicious) is the polite way to say something is 'mazui'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's a standard adjective. However, it can be very rude depending on who you say it to.
Not usually. For a bad movie, use 'tsumaranai' (boring) or 'hidoi' (terrible).
'Oishii' or 'Umai' are the opposites.
You can say 'Sore hodo mazuku nai desu.'
Only if you mean they are in a 'bad' (awkward) situation. You can't use it to mean they are a 'bad person'.
It is traditionally masculine and rough, but some young women use it for comedic effect.
It's a short way of saying 'This situation is bad/unfavorable.'
'Mazui' is 'bad taste' (active), 'oishikunai' is 'not delicious' (passive/polite).
No, for smells use 'kusai'.
Yes, {不味|まず}い, but it is very often written in hiragana.
Related Phrases
おいしくない
similarNot delicious
やばい
similarDangerous / Awful / Amazing
ひどい
similarTerrible / Cruel
にがい
specialized formBitter
へた
contrastUnskilled
