Japanese word

加減

Pronunciation

Romajikagen

Meaning

  • nounamount

Example

塩の加減がちょうどいいです。shio no ka gen ga chō do i i de su

The amount of salt is just right.

Illustration for 加減 (amount)

More examples

水の加減を見ながら、ご飯を炊きます。mizu no ka gen o mi na ga ra go han o ta ki ma su

I cook rice while checking the amount of water.

Core concept

加減 (kagen) centers on the degree or balance created by adjusting how much is added or reduced.

Common phrases

  • 火の加減hi no ka gen

    heat level

  • 水の加減mizu no ka gen

    amount of water

  • 塩の加減shio no ka gen

    amount of salt

  • 力の加減chikara no ka gen

    amount of force

  • 味の加減aji no ka gen

    seasoning level

Similar words

量ryō: The quantity of something used or present.
程度teido: The level or extent of something.
具合guai: The condition or degree of something at a particular time.

Definition in Japanese

物事について、加えたり減らしたりして調整した結果の量や程度。mono goto ni tsu i te kuwa e ta ri he ra shi ta ri shi te chō sei shi ta kek ka no ryō ya tei do

Word origin

As a Japanese compound, 加 (ka, "addition") and 減 (gen, "reduction") combine to express the result of adding or reducing something to reach a suitable level.

Usage tips

  • In cooking, 加減 (kagen) often describes the level produced by adjusting seasoning or heat rather than a fixed quantity.

Other meanings

  • balancenoun

Related words

  • 加減するkagensuruadjustverb

Word lists with this word