Meaning
Food that has an unpleasant taste.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Mottainai' (wastefulness) makes it culturally difficult to call food 'mazui' because you are expected to finish it regardless of taste. TV food reporters use 'fushigi na aji' (mysterious taste) as a code word for 'mazui' to avoid being rude to the restaurant owners. In a business setting, if food is bad, one simply says 'I am full' to stop eating without insulting the host. Young people use 'Gekimazu' as a bonding experience, often filming themselves eating weird food combinations for social media.
Social Danger
Using 'mazui' in a restaurant can lead to very awkward situations. Stick to 'oishikunai' if you must say something.
The 'Mazu' Face
If you want to sound native, say 'Mazu!' with a short, clipped ending when you first taste something bad.
Meaning
Food that has an unpleasant taste.
Social Danger
Using 'mazui' in a restaurant can lead to very awkward situations. Stick to 'oishikunai' if you must say something.
The 'Mazu' Face
If you want to sound native, say 'Mazu!' with a short, clipped ending when you first taste something bad.
Humble Cooking
If you cook for others, you might say 'Mazui desu ga...' (It's bad, but...), but your guests will always reply 'Oishii desu!' (It's delicious!).
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'mazui'.
この{料理|りょうり}はとても（ ）{食べ物|たべもの}です。
I-adjectives like 'mazui' connect directly to nouns.
Which phrase is the most polite way to say food is bad?
Which is better to use in a restaurant?
'Oishikunai' is the negative form of 'Oishii' and is much softer than 'Mazui'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: このお{菓子|かし}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと（ ）。
The context 'うーん、ちょっと' suggests a negative opinion.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When you eat something terrible alone.
You can use the adjective alone as an exclamation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Politeness Scale for Bad Food
Practice Bank
4 exercisesこの{料理|りょうり}はとても（ ）{食べ物|たべもの}です。
I-adjectives like 'mazui' connect directly to nouns.
Which is better to use in a restaurant?
'Oishikunai' is the negative form of 'Oishii' and is much softer than 'Mazui'.
A: このお{菓子|かし}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと（ ）。
The context 'うーん、ちょっと' suggests a negative opinion.
When you eat something terrible alone.
You can use the adjective alone as an exclamation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNot always. It's fine to use it for yourself or with very close friends, but it's rude to use it about someone else's effort.
Yes, but usually you would say 'mazui nomimono' or just 'kore, mazui'.
The opposite is 'oishii tabemono' (delicious food).
You can say 'chotto hen na aji ga suru' (it has a bit of a strange taste).
Rarely. In formal reports, you would use 'shitsu no hikui' (low quality) or 'mi-seijuku na' (unripe/unskilled).
Related Phrases
おいしくない
similarNot delicious
激まず
specialized formExtremely bad tasting
口に合わない
synonymDoesn't suit my palate
ひどい味
similarTerrible taste
