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甘えん坊な

B1 adjective #9,000 am häufigsten 6 Min. Lesezeit

甘えん坊な

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Erklärung 甘えん坊な in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'Amaenbou' as a word used for cute animals or small children. Think of it as 'a person who likes hugs and attention.' You might hear it in simple sentences like 'Kono inu wa amaenbou desu' (This dog is pampered/affectionate). Don't worry too much about the deep psychological meaning yet; just think of it as a way to describe someone who isn't very independent and wants to be close to you. It's a 'na-adjective,' so you use 'na' when putting it before a noun, like 'amaenbou na neko' (an affectionate cat).

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'Amaenbou' to describe family members and close friends. You should understand that it comes from the verb 'Amaeru' (to depend on/be spoiled). Use it when talking about your younger siblings or your pets. You can also start using the structure '[Person] wa amaenbou na tokoro ga aru' (Person has a pampered side). This level is about recognizing that the word isn't always bad—it often shows a close bond between people. If you see a child crying for their mom even though they are fine, you might whisper 'Amaenbou da ne' (What a spoiled/dependent kid).

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At the B1 level, you should grasp the nuance of 'Amae' in Japanese society. 'Amaenbou-na' is not just 'spoiled' (like a brat), but 'affectionately dependent.' You should be able to distinguish it from 'Wagamama' (selfish). A B1 learner knows that 'Amaenbou' implies a desire for physical or emotional contact. You can use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Kare wa tsuyosou ni mieru keredo, jitsu wa amaenbou na hito da' (He looks strong, but actually he is a dependent/affectionate person). You should also be comfortable using it with the suffix '-bou' which indicates a person type.

At the B2 level, you can use 'Amaenbou' to discuss personality traits and social dynamics. You understand that calling an adult an 'amaenbou' can be a playful tease in a relationship or a subtle criticism of their lack of 'jiritsu' (independence). You can use it to describe character archetypes in literature or film. You should also be aware of the noun form and how it interacts with different particles. For example, 'Amaenbou ni sodateru' (to raise someone to be spoiled/dependent). You can compare it with words like 'Amattare' and explain the difference in severity and social acceptance.

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At the C1 level, you should be able to discuss the psychological concept of 'Amae' as defined by Takeo Doi, using 'Amaenbou' as a practical example of this trait. You can use the word in nuanced discussions about child-rearing, social expectations, and romantic relationships. You understand the historical and linguistic roots (the '-bou' suffix related to monks/boys) and can use the word with precise irony or deep empathy. You can also recognize its use in classical or older literature where the nuance might slightly differ from modern colloquial usage, focusing more on the 'helplessness' aspect.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'Amaenbou-na'. You can use it in creative writing to evoke specific emotional responses or to critique social structures that encourage or punish dependency. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the word is applied to different genders or age groups in modern Japan. You can effortlessly switch between 'Amaenbou,' 'Amattare,' 'Amae-shitsu,' and other related terms to perfectly capture the degree of dependency you wish to describe. You can also analyze how the concept of the 'amaenbou' character has evolved in Japanese pop culture over the decades.

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甘えん坊な in 30 Sekunden

Used for people or pets who crave attention and love being pampered.
Rooted in the Japanese concept of 'amae' (dependency).
Can be cute and endearing or slightly critical of immaturity.
Commonly used for children, pets, and romantic partners.

The Japanese term 甘えん坊な (Amaenbou-na) is a fascinating window into Japanese social psychology. At its core, it describes a person—usually a child, a pet, or sometimes a romantic partner—who seeks affection, attention, and care through a display of dependency. Unlike the English word 'spoiled,' which often carries a purely negative connotation of being entitled or bratty, amaenbou can be deeply endearing. It stems from the concept of 甘え (amae), a fundamental Japanese psychological drive to be loved and accepted by an authority figure or loved one, allowing one to behave somewhat helplessly to elicit care.

The Child Context: In a family setting, a child who is called an amaenbou is one who constantly wants to be held, follows their parents everywhere, and prefers being taken care of rather than being independent. It suggests a 'mommy's boy' or 'daddy's girl' vibe but with a focus on the emotional craving for closeness.
The Pet Context: This is perhaps the most common way to use the word positively. A dog that refuses to leave your side or a cat that constantly purrs for head scratches is a classic amaenbou. It implies the animal is extremely affectionate and reliant on human touch.
The Romantic Context: When used between adults, it describes a partner who likes to act 'cute' or dependent to get attention. While it can be a term of endearment, if used by an outsider, it might suggest the person is too clingy or immature for their age.

うちの弟は末っ子だから、とても甘えん坊な性格をしています。
Since my younger brother is the youngest child, he has a very spoiled/dependent personality.

To understand amaenbou, you must separate it from wagamama (selfish). A wagamama person wants their own way and doesn't care about others. An amaenbou person wants you—they want your time, your touch, and your validation. The suffix -bou (坊) literally refers to a monk or a young boy, which gives the word its slightly diminutive, cute, and youthful flavor.

Using 甘えん坊な effectively requires understanding its grammatical role as a 'na-adjective' derived from the noun amaenbou. While you can use it to modify nouns directly, it is frequently seen in its noun form or combined with the copula da/desu.

彼女は甘えん坊なところがある。
She has a pampered/clingy side to her.

In this example, amaenbou na tokoro literally means 'pampered place/aspect,' a common way to describe a personality trait in Japanese. It suggests that while she might be professional or independent normally, she has moments where she seeks dependency.

Modifying a Noun: Structure: [甘えん坊な] + [Noun].
Example: 甘えん坊な子犬 (Amaenbou na koinu) — A clingy/affectionate puppy.
Describing a Subject: Structure: [Subject] は [甘えん坊] だ/です。
Example: 彼は意外と甘えん坊だ。 (Kare wa igaito amaenbou da.) — He is surprisingly dependent/affectionate.

この猫はとても甘えん坊なので、一人にしないでください。
Because this cat is very pampered/affectionate, please don't leave it alone.

You will encounter 甘えん坊 in a variety of daily life scenarios, ranging from casual family talk to specific tropes in Japanese media. It is a word that carries significant emotional weight, often used to bridge the gap between two people by acknowledging a 'soft' side of someone's personality.

In Anime and Manga: The amaenbou character is a staple. Think of the younger sibling who is always hanging onto the protagonist's arm, or the 'tough' character who turns into a puddle of mush when they are alone with their crush. It is used to create contrast (gap-moe) between a character's public persona and their private need for affection.
At the Pet Store or Animal Shelters: Staff will often describe animals as amaenbou-san to let potential owners know the pet is friendly and enjoys being petted. It is a major selling point for people looking for a companion animal that will be interactive.
Parental Conversations: Parents often discuss their children's temperaments. 'Our oldest is very independent, but the youngest is a total amaenbou.' In this context, it's used with a mix of exhaustion and deep love.

「もう、本当に甘えん坊なんだから！」
"Geez, you really are such a spoiled baby!" (Often said playfully to a partner or child).

Socially, calling someone an amaenbou can also be a subtle way of teasing. If a grown man is very close to his mother, friends might jokingly call him an amaenbou. However, care must be taken: in a professional setting, calling someone an amaenbou would be highly insulting, as it implies they lack the jiritsu (independence) required of an adult.

While the word seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble over the nuance and the grammatical flexibility of 甘えん坊. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Confusing it with 'Wagamama': As mentioned before, wagamama means selfish or demanding. If a child wants a toy and screams until they get it, they are wagamama. If a child wants to be carried because they want to be close to you, they are amaenbou. Using amaenbou for someone who is being rude or demanding 'things' rather than 'affection' is a common error.
Mistake 2: Overusing the 'Na': Remember that amaenbou is a noun that can act like a na-adjective. You don't need na if it's the end of the sentence.
❌ 彼は甘えん坊なです。(Incorrect)
✅ 彼は甘えん坊です。(Correct)

「甘えん坊」と「わがまま」を混同しないでください。
Please do not confuse "Amaenbou" with "Wagamama".

To truly master the concept of being 'pampered' or 'dependent' in Japanese, you should explore the spectrum of related words. Depending on the level of formality and the specific behavior, other words might be more appropriate than 甘えん坊な.

甘ったれ (Amattare): This is a harsher, more critical version of amaenbou. While amaenbou can be cute, amattare suggests someone is over-dependent to a fault or lacks a 'backbone.' It is often used to scold someone who isn't taking responsibility.
人懐っこい (Hitonatsukkoi): This means 'friendly' or 'sociable' (especially with strangers). While an amaenbou pet wants your affection, a hitonatsukkoi pet is friendly to everyone. Use this if you want to emphasize sociability rather than dependency.
寂しがり屋 (Sabishigariya): This refers to someone who gets lonely easily. Many amaenbou people are also sabishigariya, but sabishigariya focuses on the fear of being alone, whereas amaenbou focuses on the desire for active pampering.

彼は甘えん坊なだけでなく、寂しがり屋でもある。
He is not just pampered/dependent, but also gets lonely easily.

In summary, choose amaenbou for children, pets, or loved ones when describing a cute need for attention. Choose amattare for criticism, and hitonatsukkoi for general friendliness.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-bou' is used in many personality types, like 'Kuishinbou' (someone who loves to eat). It makes the word sound slightly cute and colloquial, which is why 'Amaenbou' is often used for pets and kids.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ə.ma.en.boʊ.na/

US /ə.ma.en.boʊ.na/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'Amaenbou', the pitch typically starts low, rises on 'ma', and stays high until 'bo', then drops.

Reimt sich auf

Kanbou (Cold/Flu) Kenbou (Forgetfulness) Sanbou (Staff officer) Tanbou (Exploration) Ranbou (Rough/Violent) Tonbou (Dragonfly - though usually Tonbo) Kuunbou (Empty) Shinbou (Patience)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'amae' as two syllables 'a-may' instead of three 'a-ma-e'.
Shortening the long 'o' in 'bou'.
Stressing one syllable like in English (e.g., a-ma-EN-bou).
Failing to pronounce the nasal 'n' correctly.
Treating 'na' as part of the word root rather than a particle.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Kanji for 'Amai' (甘) is common, but the combination with 'bou' (坊) requires some level of familiarity.

Schreiben 4/5

Writing 'Amaenbou' in Kanji requires knowing '甘' and '坊', which are mid-level Kanji.

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce once you get the rhythm of Japanese moras.

Hören 2/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to pick out in conversation.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

甘い (Amai) 子供 (Kodomo) 猫 (Neko) 犬 (Inu) 性格 (Seikaku)

Als Nächstes lernen

わがまま (Wagamama) 寂しがり屋 (Sabishigariya) 自立 (Jiritsu) 依存 (Izon) 過保護 (Kahogo)

Fortgeschritten

甘えの構造 (Amae no Kouzou) 母子密着 (Boshi Mitchaku) 幼児退行 (Youji Taikou) 癒やし系 (Iyashikei) ツンデレ (Tsundere)

Wichtige Grammatik

Na-adjectives modifying nouns

甘えん坊な子供 (A pampered child)

Using 'no wa' to nominalize

甘えん坊なのは、彼だけだ。

The suffix '-bou' for people

忘れん坊 (Wasurenbou), 食いしん坊 (Kuishinbou)

Contrast using 'keredo/kedo'

自立しているけれど、実は甘えん坊だ。

Causative 'saseru' with 'amaeru'

子供を甘えさせる (To let a child be pampered/dependent).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

この犬はとても甘えん坊です。

This dog is very affectionate/spoiled.

Simple [Subject] wa [Adjective] desu structure.

甘えん坊な猫が好きです。

I like pampered/affectionate cats.

Using 'na' to modify the noun 'neko'.

あの子は甘えん坊ですね。

That child is spoiled/dependent, isn't he?

Adding 'ne' for confirmation/agreement.

私は甘えん坊じゃないです。

I am not a spoiled person.

Negative form 'janai desu'.

甘えん坊な赤ちゃん。

A pampered/clingy baby.

Noun phrase with 'na'.

うさぎも甘えん坊になりますか？

Do rabbits also become pampered/affectionate?

Using 'ni narimasu' to mean 'to become'.

彼は甘えん坊な男の子です。

He is a pampered/dependent boy.

Standard na-adjective usage.

甘えん坊、おいで！

Come here, you pampered one!

Using the noun form as a nickname/vocative.

弟は末っ子で、とても甘えん坊だ。

My brother is the youngest and is very spoiled.

Casual 'da' at the end.

甘えん坊な性格を直したいです。

I want to fix my pampered/dependent personality.

Modifying 'seikaku' (personality).

一人っ子は甘えん坊になりやすいと言われる。

It is said that only children tend to become pampered.

Using 'yasui' (easy to/tends to).

彼女は甘えん坊なところがあって可愛い。

She has a pampered side, which is cute.

The phrase 'tokoro ga aru' means 'has an aspect of'.

私の犬は、外では強いけど家では甘えん坊です。

My dog is strong outside, but at home, he's a spoiled baby.

Contrast using 'kedo'.

甘えん坊な子供は、お母さんが大好きです。

A dependent child loves their mother very much.

Topic marker 'wa' for the whole subject phrase.

そんなに甘えん坊にならないで。

Don't be such a spoiled/dependent person.

Negative imperative 'naide'.

子犬の時はみんな甘えん坊だ。

When they are puppies, everyone is a spoiled baby.

Using 'no toki' (when...).

彼は甘えん坊な態度で彼女に接した。

He approached her with a pampered/dependent attitude.

Modifying 'taido' (attitude).

甘えん坊なのは悪いことではありません。

Being a pampered/dependent person is not a bad thing.

Nominalizing the adjective with 'no wa'.

自立しているように見えて、実は甘えん坊な人だ。

He looks independent, but actually, he is a dependent person.

Contrast with 'jitsu wa' (actually).

甘えん坊な彼を放っておけない。

I can't leave my pampered/dependent boyfriend alone.

Verb 'houtte okenai' (cannot leave alone).

どうしてそんなに甘えん坊なの？

Why are you such a spoiled baby?

Explanatory 'no' ending.

彼は長男だが、意外と甘えん坊な一面がある。

He is the eldest son, but surprisingly has a pampered side.

Using 'ichimen' (one side/facet).

甘えん坊な性格が災いして、仕事で苦労している。

His dependent personality is causing him trouble at work.

Using 'wazawai shite' (causing disaster/trouble).

猫が甘えん坊な声で鳴いている。

The cat is meowing with a pampered/sweet voice.

Modifying 'koe' (voice).

甘えん坊な気質は、育った環境に影響されることが多い。

A dependent temperament is often influenced by the environment one grew up in.

Using 'kishitsu' (temperament) and 'eikyou sareru' (be influenced).

彼は甘えん坊な自分を隠そうとしている。

He is trying to hide his pampered/dependent self.

Volitional + 'to shite iru' (trying to).

甘えん坊な性格を「可愛い」と捉えるか「重い」と捉えるかは人それぞれだ。

Whether one perceives a dependent personality as 'cute' or 'heavy' (burdensome) depends on the person.

Using 'ka ... ka wa hito sorezore' (depends on the person).

子供を過保護に育てると、甘えん坊な大人になってしまう可能性がある。

If you raise a child overprotectively, there is a possibility they will become a dependent adult.

Using 'kanousei ga aru' (there is a possibility).

彼女の甘えん坊な振る舞いに、彼はいつも振り回されている。

He is always being jerked around by her pampered/dependent behavior.

Using 'furimawasareiteiru' (being jerked around).

彼は甘えん坊なところを武器にして、人の懐に入るのが上手い。

He uses his pampered side as a weapon and is good at winning people over.

Metaphorical use of 'buki' (weapon).

甘えん坊な口調で頼み事をされたら、断りにくい。

If someone asks for a favor in a pampered tone, it's hard to refuse.

Using 'kuchou' (tone of voice) and 'kotowarinikui' (hard to refuse).

成熟した大人が甘えん坊な態度を取るのは、社会的にはあまり好ましくない。

It is not very socially desirable for a mature adult to act in a pampered/dependent manner.

Using 'konomashikunai' (not desirable).

日本文化における「甘え」の構造を考えると、甘えん坊な心理は深く根付いていることがわかる。

Considering the structure of 'Amae' in Japanese culture, one can see that the psychology of being an 'amaenbou' is deeply rooted.

Academic tone using 'kouzou' and 'nezuku'.

その作家は、登場人物の甘えん坊な内面を繊細な筆致で描き出した。

The author depicted the pampered/dependent inner life of the character with delicate brushstrokes (writing style).

Literary terms like 'hitchi' (brushstrokes/style).

甘えん坊な気質が、創造的な表現の源泉となることもある。

A dependent temperament can sometimes be the source of creative expression.

Using 'gensen' (source/fountainhead).

彼は甘えん坊な自分を嫌悪しながらも、他者からの承認を求めずにはいられない。

While loathing his own pampered/dependent self, he cannot help but seek validation from others.

Using 'nagara mo' (while/despite) and 'zu ni wa irarenai' (cannot help but).

甘えん坊な性格は、時として周囲の人間を依存関係の渦に巻き込む。

A dependent personality sometimes sucks surrounding people into a vortex of codependency.

Using 'uzu ni makikomu' (suck into a vortex).

現代社会において、甘えん坊な態度は「幼児性」として切り捨てられがちだ。

In modern society, a pampered/dependent attitude is often dismissed as 'infantilism'.

Using 'gachi da' (tends to) and 'kirisuteru' (dismiss/cut off).

彼女の甘えん坊な振る舞いの裏には、幼少期の愛情不足が隠れているのかもしれない。

Behind her pampered behavior, there might be a hidden lack of affection from her childhood.

Psychological analysis using 'ura ni wa' (behind/underneath).

甘えん坊な言動を、一種の処世術として巧みに使い分ける人間もいる。

There are people who skillfully use pampered words and actions as a kind of life tactic (social skill).

Using 'shoseijutsu' (wisdom of the world/life tactics).

甘えん坊な精神性は、共同体の中での帰属意識と密接にリンクしている。

The 'amaenbou' mentality is closely linked to the sense of belonging within a community.

High-level sociological vocabulary.

自己責任論が跋扈する現代において、甘えん坊な他者を許容する度量が失われつつある。

In an era where self-responsibility discourse is rampant, the capacity to tolerate dependent others is being lost.

Using 'bakko suru' (be rampant) and 'doryou' (capacity/magnanimity).

彼の甘えん坊な態度は、単なる性格の産物ではなく、周到に計算されたパフォーマンスであった。

His pampered attitude was not merely a product of personality, but a meticulously calculated performance.

Using 'sanbutsu' (product) and 'shuutou ni' (meticulously).

甘えん坊な情動が、芸術における抒情性の根底を支えているという説がある。

There is a theory that pampered/dependent emotions support the foundation of lyricism in art.

Using 'jodousei' (lyricism) and 'kontei' (foundation).

組織における甘えん坊な構成員の存在は、チームの凝集性を高める触媒になり得る。

The presence of a dependent member in an organization can serve as a catalyst to increase team cohesion.

Using 'gyoushuusei' (cohesion) and 'shokubai' (catalyst).

甘えん坊な振る舞いを「弱さ」と断じるのは、人間理解の浅露さを露呈している。

Judging pampered behavior as 'weakness' exposes a shallow understanding of human nature.

Using 'danjiru' (to judge/conclude) and 'routei suru' (expose).

文学作品における甘えん坊な主人公は、読者の庇護欲を掻き立てる装置として機能する。

A pampered protagonist in a literary work functions as a device to stir the reader's protective instinct.

Using 'higoyoku' (protective instinct) and 'kakitateru' (stir up).

甘えん坊な性格の多義性を解体することで、日本的な人間関係の深淵が見えてくる。

By deconstructing the polysemy of the 'amaenbou' personality, the abyss of Japanese human relations becomes visible.

Using 'tagisei' (polysemy) and 'kaitai' (deconstruction).

Häufige Kollokationen

甘えん坊な性格

甘えん坊な猫

甘えん坊な一面

甘えん坊な口調

甘えん坊な男の子

甘えん坊な末っ子

甘えん坊な態度

甘えん坊なところ

意外と甘えん坊

かなりの甘えん坊

Häufige Phrasen

甘えん坊将軍

— A playful nickname for a pampered child. It's a pun on 'Abarenbou Shogun' (The Wild Shogun).

うちの息子は甘えん坊将軍だ。

甘えん坊モード

— Refers to a state where someone is acting particularly clingy or seeking affection.

彼女は今、甘えん坊モードに入っている。

甘えん坊を出す

— To reveal one's pampered or dependent side.

親の前でだけ甘えん坊を出す。

甘えん坊で困る

— To be troubled by someone being too pampered/clingy.

猫が甘えん坊すぎて困っています。

甘えん坊に育てる

— To raise a child to be pampered or dependent.

祖父母が孫を甘えん坊に育ててしまった。

甘えん坊扱い

— Treating someone like they are a spoiled baby.

いつまでも私を甘えん坊扱いしないで。

甘えん坊返上

— To stop being a pampered person (literally: returning the title of amaenbou).

今日から甘えん坊返上だ！

隠れ甘えん坊

— Someone who doesn't look it but is actually pampered/dependent in private.

彼は実は隠れ甘えん坊だ。

甘えん坊全開

— Being fully in 'pampered mode' without holding back.

今日は甘えん坊全開で行くよ。

甘えん坊な気質

— A pampered or dependent temperament.

彼は生まれつき甘えん坊な気質だ。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

甘えん坊な vs わがまま (Wagamama)

Wagamama is about getting your way (selfish); Amaenbou is about getting affection (dependent).

甘えん坊な vs 甘い (Amai)

Amai means sweet or lenient; Amaenbou is the person who receives that leniency/sweetness.

甘えん坊な vs 人懐っこい (Hitonatsukkoi)

Hitonatsukkoi is being friendly to everyone; Amaenbou is being clingy to specific people.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"親の脛をかじる"

— To live off one's parents (literally: to gnaw on parents' shins). Related to being an amaenbou.

三十歳になっても親の脛をかじっている。

Informal / Critical

"猫をかぶる"

— To play innocent or act cute to hide one's true nature. Sometimes used when acting like an amaenbou.

彼女は彼の前では猫をかぶっている。

Informal

"鼻にかける"

— To be boastful (unrelated, but often confused by learners with physical 'amae' gestures).

成績がいいのを鼻にかける。

Neutral

"手がかかる"

— To require a lot of care or work. Amaenbou children are often described this way.

この子は本当に手がかかる。

Neutral

"目に入れても痛くない"

— To love someone so much it wouldn't hurt even if they were in your eye. Used for pampered grandchildren.

孫は目に入れても痛くないほど可愛い。

Idiomatic

"至れり尽くせり"

— Perfect service/hospitality. What an amaenbou person desires.

至れり尽くせりのサービスに満足した。

Formal

"甘やかす"

— The verb 'to spoil'. The action that creates an amaenbou.

子供を甘やかしすぎてはいけない。

Neutral

"尻に敷かれる"

— To be henpecked (under a wife's thumb). Sometimes involves a husband acting as an amaenbou.

彼は奥さんの尻に敷かれている。

Informal

"おんぶにだっこ"

— Being completely dependent on someone (literally: piggyback and carrying in arms).

他人に完全におんぶにだっこではいけない。

Colloquial

"懐に入る"

— To win someone's favor/affection. Amaenbou types are good at this.

彼は上司の懐に入るのが上手い。

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

甘えん坊な vs 甘ったれ (Amattare)

Both come from 'Amaeru'.

'Amattare' is almost always a negative criticism of someone's lack of independence, whereas 'Amaenbou' can be cute.

甘ったれたことを言うな！ (Don't say such spoiled things!)

甘えん坊な vs 赤ちゃん返り (Akachan-gaeri)

Both involve acting like a baby.

'Akachan-gaeri' is a specific psychological phenomenon (regression), often when a new sibling is born.

下の子が生まれて、上の子が赤ちゃん返りした。

甘えん坊な vs 寂しがり屋 (Sabishigariya)

Both seek company.

'Sabishigariya' is about the fear of loneliness; 'Amaenbou' is about the desire for active care.

寂しがり屋の彼は一人で食事ができない。

甘えん坊な vs 内弁慶 (Uchibenkei)

Both describe home behavior.

'Uchibenkei' is being bossy at home but shy outside; 'Amaenbou' is being dependent at home.

外では大人しいのに、家では内弁慶だ。

甘えん坊な vs 過保護 (Kahogo)

Both relate to spoiling.

'Kahogo' is the act of the parent (overprotection); 'Amaenbou' is the result or trait of the child.

過保護な親に育てられた。

Satzmuster

[Noun] は甘えん坊です。

私の猫は甘えん坊です。

甘えん坊な [Noun] が好きです。

甘えん坊な犬が好きです。

[Person] は意外と甘えん坊です。

部長は意外と甘えん坊です。

甘えん坊なところがある。

彼女は甘えん坊なところがある。

甘えん坊に育つ。

彼は甘えん坊に育った。

甘えん坊な性格のせいで...

甘えん坊な性格のせいで苦労する。

甘えん坊な心理を分析する。

甘えん坊な振る舞いを処世術とする。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

甘え (Amae - dependency/pampering)

甘えん坊 (Amaenbou - pampered person)

甘やかし (Amayakashi - the act of spoiling)

Verben

甘える (Amaeru - to depend on/be pampered)

甘やかす (Amayakasu - to spoil someone)

Adjektive

甘い (Amai - sweet/lenient)

甘ったるい (Amattarui - sugary sweet/sentimental)

Verwandt

坊や (Bouya - boy/kid)

赤ん坊 (Akanbou - baby)

食いしん坊 (Kuishinbou - glutton)

慌てん坊 (Awatenbou - scatterbrain)

忘れん坊 (Wasurenbou - forgetful person)

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frequency

High in daily conversation, especially concerning family and pets.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'Amaenbou' for 'Selfish' → Wagamama (わがまま)
Amaenbou is about seeking love; Wagamama is about seeking things/control.
甘えん坊なです (Amaenbou na desu) → 甘えん坊です (Amaenbou desu)
You don't need 'na' before the copula 'desu'.
Using 'Amaenbou' for a boss → 頼もしい (Tanomoshii - reliable)
Calling a superior 'Amaenbou' is usually an insult to their authority.
Confusing 'Amaenbou' and 'Amattare' → Depends on intent.
Amattare is a harsh scolding; Amaenbou is more of a description.
Pronouncing it 'A-may-n-bo' → A-ma-e-n-bo-u
Ensure the 'e' is pronounced as a separate syllable.

Tipps

Pet Descriptions

If you are writing a profile for a pet, 'Amaenbou' is the best word to say they are 'cuddly' and 'affectionate'.

Noun vs Adjective

Remember that 'Amaenbou' is a noun. Use 'Amaenbou na' to describe a noun, or 'Amaenbou da' to describe the subject.

The Power of Amae

Understand that 'Amae' is a valid social strategy in Japan to build closeness. Don't always view it as a negative trait.

Opposites Attract

The opposite of 'Amaenbou' is 'Jiritsu' (independence). Use these together to describe someone's growth.

Softening Criticism

If you need to tell someone they are being too dependent, using 'Amaenbou' is softer than using 'Amattare'.

Playful Teasing

In a relationship, calling your partner 'Amaenbou' can be a way to initiate physical affection.

Character Building

Use 'Amaenbou na一面 (ichimen)' to show a character's hidden vulnerable side.

Tone Matters

Listen for the 'bou' sound; it's a common ending for personality types in casual Japanese.

Visualizing Kanji

The Kanji '甘' (sweet) looks like a mouth with something in it. Think of a child with a sweet in their mouth, being pampered.

The 'Bou' Boy

Associate 'Bou' with 'Boy' to remember it refers to a person/type of person.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a 'monk' (bou) eating 'sweet' (amai) candy and refusing to leave his mother's side. He is an Amai-Monk-Boy -> Amaenbou.

Visuelle Assoziation

A puppy rolling on its back, looking up with big eyes, waiting for a belly rub. That puppy is the definition of an amaenbou.

Word Web

Amae (Heart) Amai (Sugar) Amaeru (Action) Bou (Person suffix) Neko (Cat) Inu (Dog) Kodomo (Child) Kanojo (Girlfriend)

Herausforderung

Try to describe your favorite pet or a younger sibling using 'Amaenbou na' in a sentence today. Then, try to find one character in a show you like who fits this description.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the verb 'Amaeru' (甘える), which means to seek affection through dependency. The suffix '-bou' (坊) comes from the word for a Buddhist monk's cell or the monk himself, but over time evolved into a suffix for young boys and then into a general suffix for people with a certain trait.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A child who acts like a little monk/boy to get attention.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Avoid using this for your boss or people of higher status unless you are joking and have a very close relationship. It can imply they are immature.

English speakers often translate this as 'spoiled,' but be careful! 'Spoiled' in English usually implies the person is a 'brat.' 'Amaenbou' is much softer and usually more about affection than material things.

Takeo Doi's book 'The Anatomy of Dependence' (Amae no Kouzou). Characters like 'Cinnamoroll' from Sanrio are often described as amaenbou. The song 'Amaenbou' by Ai Otsuka.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Talking about pets

うちの猫、甘えん坊で。
甘えん坊な犬が欲しい。
猫が甘えん坊モードです。
そんなに甘えん坊なの？

Describing children

末っ子は甘えん坊だ。
甘えん坊な時期ですね。
あの子は甘えん坊すぎる。
甘えん坊なところも可愛い。

Romantic relationships

彼は二人きりだと甘えん坊だ。
彼女は甘えん坊なタイプだ。
たまには甘えん坊になってもいいよ。
甘えん坊な彼女に弱い。

Self-introduction/Personality

私は実は甘えん坊なんです。
甘えん坊な性格を直したい。
昔から甘えん坊と言われます。
甘えん坊な自分が嫌いだ。

Observing others

意外と甘えん坊なんだね。
甘えん坊な態度が鼻につく。
あの人はかなりの甘えん坊だ。
甘えん坊なのもほどほどに。

Gesprächseinstiege

"あなたのペットは甘えん坊ですか、それとも自立していますか？"

"自分自身の性格は甘えん坊だと思いますか？"

"「甘えん坊」と「わがまま」の違いは何だと思いますか？"

"兄弟の中で誰が一番甘えん坊でしたか？"

"甘えん坊な人は好きですか、それとも苦手ですか？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

自分が「甘えん坊だな」と感じる瞬間について、日本語で書いてみましょう。

理想のパートナーは甘えん坊な人がいいですか？その理由を説明してください。

日本の「甘え」の文化についてどう思いますか？自分の国と比較してください。

子供を甘えん坊に育てないためには、どうすればいいと思いますか？

最近見た映画やアニメで、甘えん坊なキャラクターはいましたか？その特徴を書いてください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Not necessarily. It depends on the context. For children and pets, it's often cute and positive. For adults, it can be a term of endearment in a relationship, but in a professional or formal setting, it's a criticism of immaturity.

Yes, you can say 'Watashi wa amaenbou desu' to mean 'I like being pampered' or 'I'm a bit of a clingy person.' It sounds a bit humble or self-deprecating.

'Amae' is the noun for the concept/feeling of dependency. 'Amaenbou' is the noun/adjective for the *person* who exhibits that feeling.

'Wagamama na gaki' or 'Amattare' are closer to the negative sense of 'spoiled brat' than 'Amaenbou'.

Yes, despite the '-bou' suffix traditionally meaning 'boy,' it is used for all genders today.

Yes, the verb is 'Amaeru' (甘える).

Rarely. If a boss calls an employee an 'amaenbou,' it's a serious scolding about their lack of professional independence.

It's a suffix used to create nouns describing people with specific traits, like 'Wasurenbou' (forgetful person).

Add 'na' after it: 'Amaenbou na kodomo' (A pampered child).

Often, yes. It frequently describes children who want to be held or pets that want to be petted.

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