Japanese word

ドライ

Pronunciation

Romajidorai

Meaning

  • na-adjectivedry

Example

このワインはドライです。ko no wa i n wa do ra i de su

This wine is dry.

Illustration for ドライ (dry)

More examples

魚料理にはドライな白ワインがよく合います。sakana ryō ri ni wa do ra i na shiro wa i n ga yo ku a i ma su

A dry white wine goes well with fish dishes.

Core concept

Expresses the absence of moisture or sweetness, with the same sense extending metaphorically to a person who shows little emotion.

Common phrases

  • ドライな性格do ra i na sei kaku

    a dry personality

  • ドライな白ワインdo ra i na shiro wa i n

    dry white wine

  • ドライな後味do ra i na ato aji

    a dry finish

Similar words

辛口karakuchi: Describes a wine whose low sugar content gives it a dry, non-sweet taste.

Definition in Japanese

飲み物などの甘みが少なく、口当たりがすっきりしているさま。no mi mono na do no ama mi ga suku na ku kuchi a ta ri ga su kki ri shi te i ru sa ma

Word origin

ドライ (dorai) comes from English dry, meaning lacking moisture, and its use for wine refers to the wine's low sweetness rather than its physical dryness.

Usage tips

  • English speakers use dry for wine with little residual sugar, while dry humor describes restrained humor, giving the word both a taste-related and an emotional use.

Other meanings

  • unemotionalna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • ドライさdoraisadrynessnoun

Word lists with this word