酸っぱい (suppai) describes the sharp, tangy sensation of acidic foods like lemons or vinegar.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a sharp, tangy taste like lemon or vinegar.
- Used primarily for food and drinks.
- Commonly associated with fruits and fermented items.
使用パターン：基本的には「酸っぱい＋名詞」または「名詞は酸っぱい」という形で使われます。また、味の程度を強調する場合、「とても酸っぱい」「少し酸っぱい」のように副詞を伴います。
- 1一般的な文脈：日常会話で最も頻繁に使われるのは、レモン、梅干し、酢、ヨーグルト、未熟な果物（みかんやリンゴなど）を食べる時です。また、料理が傷んで酸味が出た場合にも「このスープは酸っぱくなっている」のように使われます。
- 1類似語との比較：「酸っぱい」は口語的で一般的な表現です。一方、「酸味がある（さんみがある）」という表現は、より客観的で、料理のレビューや食品の成分表示など、少し硬い文脈や記述的な文脈で好まれます。「酸っぱい」は直感的な感覚を伝え、「酸味がある」は味の要素を分析的に伝えるニュアンスがあります。
Examples
このレモンはとても酸っぱい。
everydayThis lemon is very sour.
このソースは少し酸味が強いですね。
formalThis sauce has a strong sour taste.
うわっ、酸っぱ！
informalWow, sour!
発酵過程で酸っぱい成分が生成される。
academicSour components are produced during the fermentation process.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
酸っぱい顔をする
to make a sour face
酸っぱいブドウ
sour grapes (Aesop fable)
Often Confused With
Sanmi is a noun meaning 'sourness' or 'acidic taste'. It is used in more formal or culinary analysis contexts, whereas suppai is an adjective for the direct experience.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Suppai is the standard adjective for sour. It is used in all registers from casual to polite. When speaking formally about food, using the noun 'sanmi' is often preferred.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes confuse 'suppai' with 'karai' (spicy/hot). Remember that 'suppai' is for sour things like lemons, while 'karai' is for chili peppers.
Tips
Use with food names
Combine it with specific foods like 'lemon' or 'ume-boshi'. It helps to visualize the specific sourness.
Don't use for emotional pain
Unlike some English slang, 'suppai' refers only to physical taste. Do not use it to describe emotional bitterness.
Umeboshi culture
Umeboshi (pickled plum) is the quintessential sour food in Japan. It is often the first thing people think of when they hear 'suppai'.
Word Origin
The word originates from the verb 'suu' (to suck) or the noun 'su' (vinegar). It describes the sensation of tasting something that makes your mouth pucker.
Cultural Context
Sourness is a key element in Japanese cuisine, especially through vinegar (su) and pickled plums (umeboshi). These are valued for their ability to stimulate appetite and preserve food.
Memory Tip
Imagine sucking on a lemon and saying 'Soup-pie!' because your face puckers up. The sound 'sup' mimics the sharp intake of breath when tasting something sour.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「酸っぱい」は形容詞で、味そのものを直接表現します。「酸味」は名詞で、味の質や成分を指します。
はい、食べ物が腐敗して酸っぱくなった場合にも「この牛乳は酸っぱい」のように使うことができます。
反対の味は「甘い」ですが、文脈によっては「まろやかな」や「コクがある」といった言葉が対照的になることもあります。
「酸っぱかった」となります。食べた瞬間の感想としてよく使われます。
Test Yourself
レモンはとても___です。
レモンは酸味の強い代表的な果物だからです。
梅干しを食べた時の反応として正しいのは？
梅干しは非常に強い酸味があるためです。
（ この / 酸っぱい / りんご / は ）
主語＋述語の基本構造です。
Score: /3
Summary
酸っぱい (suppai) describes the sharp, tangy sensation of acidic foods like lemons or vinegar.
- Describes a sharp, tangy taste like lemon or vinegar.
- Used primarily for food and drinks.
- Commonly associated with fruits and fermented items.
Use with food names
Combine it with specific foods like 'lemon' or 'ume-boshi'. It helps to visualize the specific sourness.
Don't use for emotional pain
Unlike some English slang, 'suppai' refers only to physical taste. Do not use it to describe emotional bitterness.
Umeboshi culture
Umeboshi (pickled plum) is the quintessential sour food in Japan. It is often the first thing people think of when they hear 'suppai'.
Examples
4 of 4このレモンはとても酸っぱい。
This lemon is very sour.
このソースは少し酸味が強いですね。
This sauce has a strong sour taste.
うわっ、酸っぱ！
Wow, sour!
発酵過程で酸っぱい成分が生成される。
Sour components are produced during the fermentation process.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More food words
〜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).
熟成した
B1Aged; matured.
