Japanese word

渋い

Pronunciation

Romajishibui

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveastringent

Example

このお茶は渋いです。ko no o cha wa shibu i de su

This tea is astringent.

Illustration for 渋い (astringent)

More examples

この赤ワインは少し渋いです。ko no aka wa i n wa suko shi shibu i de su

This red wine is slightly astringent.

Core concept

Describes a taste that makes the mouth feel dry and tighten, covering astringent, bitter, and puckery sensations.

Common phrases

  • 渋いお茶shibu i o cha

    astringent tea

  • 渋いワインshibu i wa i n

    astringent wine

  • 渋い味shibu i aji

    astringent taste

Similar words

苦いnigai: Describes a sharp taste that lacks sweetness and can linger in the mouth.
えぐいegui: Describes a harsh, acrid taste that causes an unpleasant sensation in the mouth.

Definition in Japanese

口に含むと舌や口の内側が収縮するような刺激を感じる味である。kuchi ni fuku mu to shita ya kuchi no uchi gawa ga shū shuku su ru yō na shi geki o kan ji ru aji de a ru

Word origin

The taste adjective 渋い (shibui) comes from 渋 (shibu, "astringency") plus the adjective ending い (i), making a word for an astringent sensation.

Usage tips

  • In English, the loanword shibui usually describes restrained beauty in art or design, while the Japanese adjective also describes an astringent taste.

Other meanings

  • bitteri-adjective
  • puckeryi-adjective

Related words

  • 渋みshibumiastringencynoun
  • 渋さshibusaastringencynoun

Word lists with this word