酸っぱい

• Reading: すっぱい
• Romaji: suppai
• Kanji breakdown: 酸 (su/san) — sour, acid
• Pronunciation: /sɯp.pa.i/

Meaning

Sour; acidic. Describes the taste of lemons, vinegar, and fermented foods.

An i-adjective for sour or acidic flavors. The small っ creates a geminate consonant, making the pronunciation distinctive. Japanese cuisine features many sour foods like umeboshi (pickled plum) and vinegared rice. Conjugates regularly: 酸っぱくない, 酸っぱかった.

Examples

1. このレモンはとても酸っぱいです。 This lemon is very sour.
2. 梅干しは酸っぱくて体にいい。 Pickled plums are sour and good for your health.
3. 酸っぱいものが食べたいです。 I want to eat something sour.

Usage Guide

Context: food, taste, cooking

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 酸 contains the alcohol/fermentation radical (酉), reflecting the sour taste produced by fermentation. The っぱい ending is an emphatic suffix.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal