Translation guide
Expressing that something shows good taste, is tasteful, or has aesthetic appeal. Covers personal discernment, refined style, and the quality of being pleasing to the senses.
Describing a person who has good judgment in style, fashion, art, etc.
The most common way to say someone has good taste. 'Sense' here means an innate sense of style or judgment.
彼女は本当にセンスがいいね。
She really has good taste.
Literally 'hobbies are good', but used to mean someone has refined taste in things like clothing, interior design, etc.
田中さんは趣味がいいから、いつもおしゃれだ。
Tanaka-san has good taste, so he's always stylish.
A more formal/literary expression meaning 'to have an eye for beauty' or aesthetic discernment.
彼は優れた審美眼を持っている。
He has an excellent eye for beauty.
Describing an object, design, or choice that reflects good taste.
Stylish, fashionable, tasteful. Can describe people, clothes, interiors, etc.
このカフェはとてもおしゃれだね。
This café is really tasteful/stylish.
Elegant, refined, tasteful. Often used for things that are understated and classy.
Attributive form: 'tasteful' or 'stylish'. Modifies nouns.
センスのいい家具を選びたい。
I want to choose tasteful furniture.
Attributive form: 'tasteful', often implying refined personal taste.
趣味のいいプレゼントをもらった。
I received a tasteful gift.
Describing food or drink that tastes good.
Straightforward way to say something tastes good.
このスープは味がいい。
This soup has a good taste.
The most common word for 'delicious' or 'tasty'.
このケーキ、美味しい！
This cake tastes good!
More specific to 'flavor' being good, often used in product descriptions.
このコーヒーは風味が良い。
This coffee has a good flavor.
Praising someone's specific choice, like a gift or selection.
A casual compliment meaning 'you have good taste' regarding a specific thing.
そのネクタイ、センスがいいね。
That tie shows good taste.
Colloquial compliment: 'You've got good taste.' Often used among friends.
この曲選んだの？いい趣味してるね。
You picked this song? Good taste!
Both mean 'good taste', but センスがいい emphasizes an innate sense of style or trendiness, while 趣味がいい suggests cultivated, refined taste. センス is more common in casual speech.
彼はセンスがいいから、流行に詳しい。
He has good taste, so he's up on trends.
彼女は趣味がいいから、クラシックなものが好きだ。
She has refined taste, so she likes classic things.
The literal translation '良い味' (よいあじ) is not used to mean 'good taste' in the sense of style or discernment. It only refers to flavor. Use センスがいい or 趣味がいい instead.
音楽のセンスがいいね。
You have good taste in music.
彼女はセンスよく部屋を飾った。
She decorated her room with good taste.
このワインは味がいい。
This wine has a good taste.
彼女の服装はいつも上品だ。
Her attire is always tasteful/elegant.