Japanese word

甘やかす

Pronunciation

Romajiamayakasu

Meaning

  • verbspoil

Example

その親は息子を甘やかします。so no oya wa musuko o ama ya ka shi ma su

That parent spoils their son.

Illustration for 甘やかす (spoil)

More examples

祖父母は孫の要求を何でも聞いて、孫を甘やかしています。so fu bo wa mago no yō kyū o nan de mo ki i te mago o ama ya ka shi te i ma su

The grandparents are spoiling their grandchild by giving in to every request.

Core concept

Allows a person to avoid hardship or consequences by continually meeting their wishes.

Common phrases

  • 子どもを甘やかすko do mo o ama ya ka su

    spoil a child

Similar words

溺愛するdekiaisuru: To treat a person with excessive love and care, often without setting limits.
可愛がるkawaigaru: To treat someone with affection and special kindness.
ちやほやするchiyahoyasuru: To flatter and fuss over someone with excessive attention.

Definition in Japanese

相手の要求をむやみに受け入れ、わがままを許すなど、厳しく扱わない。ai te no yō kyū o mu ya mi ni u ke i re wa ga ma ma o yuru su na do kibi shi ku atsuka wa na i

Word origin

甘やかす (amayakasu) is a native Japanese verb related to 甘い (amai, "sweet") and formed with やかす (yakasu), giving the idea of making treatment sweet or indulgent.

Usage tips

  • The English verb spoil also means to ruin food or an experience, but 甘やかす (amayakasu) is not used for those meanings.

Other meanings

  • pamperverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word