Japanese word

お菓子

Pronunciation

Romajiokashi

Meaning

  • nounsweets

Example

毎日お菓子を食べます。mai nichi o ka shi o ta be ma su

I eat sweets every day.

Illustration for お菓子 (sweets)

More examples

食後にお菓子を買います。shoku go ni o ka shi o ka i ma su

I buy sweets after dinner.

Core concept

Refers to small, enjoyable foods that are usually eaten as treats or between regular meals.

Common phrases

  • お菓子を食べるo ka shi o ta be ru

    eat sweets

  • お菓子を買うo ka shi o ka u

    buy sweets

  • お菓子を作るo ka shi o tsuku ru

    make sweets

Similar words

おやつoyatsu: Food eaten between regular meals, often as a small treat.
菓子kashi: A general or formal term for sweet foods and snack foods.
スナックsunakku: A small packaged food eaten as a light snack, often savory.

Definition in Japanese

主食とせず、間食や楽しみのために食べる食品。shu shoku to se zu kan shoku ya tano shi mi no ta me ni ta be ru shoku hin

Word origin

お菓子 (okashi) is formed from お (o, "polite or respectful") and 菓子 (kashi, "confection or snack"), with 菓子 being a Sino-Japanese compound.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese shops, お菓子 (okashi) can refer to both traditional confections and everyday packaged snacks, so it is broader than candy.

Other meanings

  • candynoun
  • snacknoun

Word lists with this word