A1 noun Neutral #3,316 most common

調味料

chōmiryō /t͡ɕoːmiɾʲoː/

調味料 refers to various substances used to season food and enhance its flavor during the cooking process or before eating. It encompasses a wide range of items, including basic staples like salt and sugar as well as fermented liquids like soy sauce and miso.

Examples

3 of 5
1

キッチンにはたくさんの調味料があります。

There are many seasonings in the kitchen.

2

最高級の調味料を使用し、素材の味を引き立てます。

We use the highest quality seasonings to bring out the flavor of the ingredients.

3

何か調味料、足りないかな?

Are there any seasonings missing?

Word Family

Noun
調味料
Verb
調味する
Related
調味
💡

Memory Tip

Remember it by the kanji: 調 (Adjust) + 味 (Taste) + 料 (Material). It's the 'material used to adjust the taste'.

Quick Quiz

スープの味が薄いので、_____を入れましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 調味料

Examples

1

キッチンにはたくさんの調味料があります。

everyday

There are many seasonings in the kitchen.

2

最高級の調味料を使用し、素材の味を引き立てます。

formal

We use the highest quality seasonings to bring out the flavor of the ingredients.

3

何か調味料、足りないかな?

informal

Are there any seasonings missing?

4

日本の伝統的な調味料の化学成分を分析する。

academic

Analyze the chemical components of traditional Japanese seasonings.

5

新商品の調味料を海外市場へ輸出する計画です。

business

We plan to export the new seasoning products to overseas markets.

Word Family

Noun
調味料
Verb
調味する
Related
調味

Common Collocations

調味料を入れる to add seasoning
調味料を合わせる to mix seasonings
液体調味料 liquid seasoning
基本の調味料 basic seasonings
調味料の棚 seasoning shelf

Common Phrases

さしすせそ

The 5 basic Japanese seasonings (Sugar, Salt, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Miso)

調味料入れ

seasoning container / spice rack

万能調味料

all-purpose seasoning

Often Confused With

調味料 vs 香辛料

Koushinryou specifically refers to spices and herbs (like pepper or chili), while choumiryou is the general term including sauces and liquids.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word to describe anything you add to change the taste of food, from a pinch of salt to complex sauces like mayonnaise or dashi.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use 'spice' (スパイス) for everything, but in Japanese, soy sauce or salt are never called 'spices'; they are always 'choumiryou'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember it by the kanji: 調 (Adjust) + 味 (Taste) + 料 (Material). It's the 'material used to adjust the taste'.

📖

Word Origin

A Sino-Japanese compound word consisting of 'chou' (prepare/adjust), 'mi' (flavor), and 'ryou' (material/fee).

Grammar Patterns

Commonly used with the particle 'を' when adding them to food. Categorized as a non-count noun in English, but in Japanese, you count types using '種類' (shurui).
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, the order of adding seasonings is taught as 'Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So' (Sugar, Salt, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Miso) for optimal flavor absorption.

Quick Quiz

スープの味が薄いので、_____を入れましょう。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 調味料

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