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A2 verb 9 min de lectura

甘やかす

amayakasu

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 甘やかす en 30 segundos

Explicación 甘やかす in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'amayakasu' as a word used for simple actions involving people you know well. It is often taught alongside family members and pets. You might use it to say 'I spoil my dog' or 'My grandma spoils me.' The grammar is simple: [Person] を甘やかします. At this stage, don't worry too much about the deep psychological nuances; just remember it means 'to be very nice and give many things to someone.' It's a useful word when talking about your daily life or your family. You might hear it in very simple cartoons where a character is being too kind to another. Just remember that it comes from 'amai' (sweet), like candy! If you treat someone like they are made of sugar and never want them to be sad or work hard, you are 'amayakasu-ing' them. It is a transitive verb, so you always need an object—someone who is getting the 'sweet' treatment.

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At the A2 level, you should start to understand that 'amayakasu' has a slightly negative side. It's not just 'being nice'; it's 'being too nice' in a way that might not be good for the person. You will see it used with the '~te wa ikemasen' (must not) or '~sugiru' (too much) structures. For example, 'Kodomo o amayakashisugite wa ikemasen' (You must not spoil children too much). You should also learn the difference between 'amayakasu' (transitive) and 'amaeru' (intransitive). A2 learners should be able to describe their own childhood using 'amayakasareta' (was spoiled) or 'kibishiku sodaterareta' (was raised strictly) to show contrast. You will also encounter this word in basic conversations about parenting or pet care. It's a key word for expressing opinions about how people should behave toward each other in a caregiving role.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'amayakasu' in various conjugations, including the conditional forms like 'amayakaseba' (if I spoil) or 'amayakashitara' (if I spoiled). You'll start to see it in more complex social contexts, such as the workplace or in discussions about social issues. You should understand the concept of 'Amae' in Japanese culture—the expectation that one will be indulged by others. B1 learners should be able to use the word to discuss the consequences of behavior: 'If you spoil them now, they won't be able to work hard later.' You will also encounter it in more natural, fast-paced Japanese media like variety shows or dramas, where the nuances of tone (playful vs. critical) become more important. This is also the level where you should distinguish it from 'kawaigaru' (to cherish) and 'dekiai suru' (to dote on).

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At the B2 level, 'amayakasu' becomes a tool for discussing psychology and societal trends. You might read articles about 'over-indulgent parenting' (amayakashi no ikuji) or how the legal system might be 'spoiling' certain groups by being too lenient. You should be able to use the noun form 'amayakashi' and understand its role in forming compound thoughts. B2 learners can use the word metaphorically—for example, 'spoiling a market' or 'spoiling an opportunity' by not being rigorous enough. You should also be aware of the subtle social boundaries: when is it appropriate to use this word about someone else's child? (Hint: it's usually considered quite critical). You can also use it in self-reflective writing to discuss your own weaknesses or 'jibun o amayakasu' tendencies when facing difficult tasks.

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At the C1 level, you should understand the deep cultural and psychological roots of 'amayakasu' and its relationship to the 'Amae' structure of Japanese society. You can use it to analyze character motivations in literature or to critique public policy. The word's nuance of 'preventing growth through excessive kindness' can be applied to complex systems, such as corporate structures that protect inefficient departments. You should be able to distinguish between 'amayakasu' and more academic terms like 'kandai' (leniency) or 'yūju-fudan' (indecisiveness). C1 learners should be able to use the word in formal debates or essays, perhaps discussing the balance between 'support' and 'indulgence' in modern education. You will also recognize the word in classical-style idioms and more sophisticated literary expressions.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'amayakasu,' including its most subtle connotations in high-level discourse. You can use it to discuss the philosophical implications of a society that prioritizes individual comfort over collective discipline. You understand how the word interacts with Japanese concepts of 'on' (obligation) and 'giri' (duty). You can detect when the word is used with heavy irony or sarcasm in political commentary. C2 learners can also use the word to describe complex interpersonal dynamics where 'spoiling' is used as a form of control or manipulation. You are comfortable with all its derivatives and can use it with precision in any register, from slangy social media posts to formal academic critiques of Japanese social psychology.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

甘やかす en 30 segundos

A transitive verb meaning to spoil or indulge someone, often a child or pet, by being overly lenient.
Rooted in 'amai' (sweet), it implies treating someone with excessive sweetness that lacks discipline.
Can be used positively for self-pampering, but often carries a negative connotation of causing selfishness.
Grammatically follows '[Person] o amayakasu' and is the active version of the 'amae' dependency dynamic.

The Japanese verb 甘やかす (amayakasu) is a transitive verb that translates most commonly as 'to spoil,' 'to indulge,' or 'to pamper.' Rooted in the adjective 甘い (amai), which literally means 'sweet,' the verb describes a behavior where one is 'too sweet' or overly lenient toward another person, typically a child, a pet, or a romantic partner. In Japanese culture, the concept of 'sweetness' extends beyond taste to describe a lack of strictness or a soft-hearted attitude that allows others to behave willfully without consequences.

Core Nuance: The act of removing obstacles or discipline to please someone, often resulting in their lack of independence or discipline.
Social Context: Frequently used in parenting discussions, educational settings, and when discussing the 'amae' culture of dependence in Japan.
Target Audience: Usually directed from a superior or caregiver to a subordinate or dependent (parent to child, teacher to student, older to younger sibling).

祖父母はいつも孫を甘やかすので、両親は困っている。
(Grandparents always spoil their grandchildren, so the parents are troubled.)

The word carries a slightly negative connotation in many professional or educational contexts, implying that the indulgence is excessive and potentially harmful to the recipient's character development. However, in romantic or intimate settings, it can sometimes be used more playfully or affectionately, suggesting a desire to take care of someone or give them special treatment. Unlike the English word 'indulge,' which can be used for oneself (e.g., 'indulging in chocolate'), 甘やかす is strictly transitive—you do it to *someone else*. If you want to talk about spoiling yourself, you would use a different structure like 自分を甘やかす.

Historically, the concept of 'amae' (dependence) is central to Japanese psychology, as explored by Takeo Doi. 甘やかす is the active side of this dynamic. While 'amaeru' is the act of seeking indulgence, 甘やかす is the act of granting it. Understanding this word is key to understanding Japanese social hierarchy and the expectations of care within relationships. In modern Japan, you will often hear this word in debates about 'monster parents' or 'overprotective' (kahogo) parenting styles, where the line between 'loving' and 'spoiling' is frequently debated.

自分を甘やかすのもたまには必要だ。
(It is necessary to pamper yourself once in a while.)

Using 甘やかす correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a transitive verb. It follows the standard [Subject] は/が [Object] を甘やかす pattern. Because it is a Godan verb (Group 1), its conjugations follow the standard 'u' to 'a/i/u/e/o' patterns. For example, the polite form is 甘やかします, and the negative form is 甘やかさない.

Passive Form: 甘やかされる (To be spoiled). This is extremely common when people talk about their upbringing: 'I was raised spoiled' (甘やかされて育った).
Causative Form: 甘やかさせる (To make someone spoil someone else). Rarely used, but grammatically possible.

そんなに子供を甘やかしてはいけません。
(You must not spoil your child like that.)

When using this verb, the context often determines whether the 'spoiling' is seen as a kind gesture or a disciplinary failure. For instance, in a sentence like たまには自分を甘やかして、高いケーキを買う (I’ll pamper myself and buy an expensive cake for once), the tone is self-care and positive. However, in 彼は甘やかされて育ったから、我慢ができない (Since he was raised spoiled, he has no self-control), the tone is critical and highlights a character flaw. It is also important to distinguish 甘やかす from 可愛がる (kawaigaru). While 'kawaigaru' means to cherish or treat with affection, 'amayakasu' specifically implies a lack of necessary strictness.

In more complex sentences, 甘やかす can be combined with auxiliary verbs. 甘やかしすぎる (amayakashisugiru) means 'to over-spoil' or 'to spoil too much.' This is a very frequent combination because the act of spoiling is often viewed through the lens of excess. If you are describing a state of being, you might use the te-form with 'iru': 彼は子供を甘やかしている (He is currently spoiling his child). In academic or psychological writing, you might see the noun form 甘やかし used to describe the concept of indulgence itself.

一人っ子を甘やかしすぎると、わがままな性格になる可能性がある。
(If you spoil an only child too much, they might develop a selfish personality.)

You will encounter 甘やかす in a wide variety of daily life scenarios in Japan. One of the most common places is in family dramas (home dramas) where parents or grandparents argue about how to raise children. Grandparents are stereotyically depicted as the ones who 甘やかす, while the parents try to be strict. You will also hear it in school staff rooms when teachers discuss students who are 'spoiled at home' (家で甘やかされている).

In Anime & Manga: Often used when a strict character (like a rival or a teacher) criticizes the protagonist's soft upbringing or when a 'tsundere' character finally decides to be nice to someone.
In Workplace Settings: Used when a manager is perceived as being too soft on a junior employee who makes mistakes, potentially leading to complaints from other staff members.

「君は新人を甘やかしすぎだ。もっと厳しく指導しなさい。」
("You are spoiling the newcomer too much. Instruct them more strictly.")

Another modern context is social media and self-care blogs. The phrase 自分を甘やかす日 (jibun o amayakasu hi) or 'a day to pamper oneself' is a popular hashtag. It refers to taking a break from the high-pressure Japanese work culture to eat treats, go to a spa, or simply do nothing. This usage is much more positive and focuses on the 'pampering' aspect of the word. In pet ownership, owners often joke about how they 甘やかす their dogs or cats by giving them too many treats or letting them sleep on the bed.

Lastly, in news reports or social commentary, the word is used to criticize systemic indulgence. For example, 'the government is spoiling the banks' (政府が銀行を甘やかしている) implies that the government is providing too much support or not enough regulation. This demonstrates the word's versatility from the intimate domestic sphere to the broader political and economic landscape. Whenever there is a sense that someone is being 'let off easy' or given 'special treatment' that they haven't earned, 甘やかす is the go-to verb.

猫を甘やかして、高級な餌ばかりあげている。
(I spoil my cat and only give it high-end food.)

The most common mistake learners make is confusing 甘やかす (amayakasu) with 甘える (amaeru). While they share the same root, their grammatical functions and directions are opposite. 甘やかす is transitive (you spoil someone), whereas 甘える is intransitive (you depend on someone's kindness or act like a spoiled child). For example, a child 甘える toward their mother, and the mother 甘やかす the child.

Mistake: Intransitive Usage: Incorrect: 私は母に甘やかした (I spoiled to my mother).
Correct: 私は母に甘えた (I depended on my mother's kindness).
Mistake: Confusion with 'Loving': Learners often use 'amayakasu' when they simply mean 'to love' (aisuru) or 'to treat kindly' (shinsetsu ni suru). Remember that 'amayakasu' almost always implies a lack of discipline.

❌ 彼は彼女を甘やかすから大好きだ。
✅ 彼は彼女に優しいから、彼女は彼が大好きだ。
(Correction: Using 'spoil' might imply he's making her a worse person, whereas 'gentle/kind' is likely what was intended.)

Another mistake is using the wrong particle. Since it is a transitive verb, the person being spoiled must be followed by the particle を (o). Learners sometimes use に (ni) by mistake because they are thinking of 'being kind *to* someone.' Furthermore, be careful with the passive form 甘やかされる. It is often used to describe one's personality (spoiled) rather than a single action. Saying 'I am spoiled' as a personality trait is usually 甘やかされて育った rather than just 甘やかされている.

Finally, avoid using 甘やかす in very formal business settings unless you are specifically criticizing a policy or a lack of rigor. In a workplace, if you want to say you are helping a colleague, use サポートする (sapōto suru) or 手伝う (tetsudau). Using 甘やかす suggests that the person you are helping is weak or lazy, which can be unintentionally offensive.

❌ 部下を甘やかして仕事を手伝った。
✅ 部下を助けるために仕事を手伝った。
(Correction: The first sentence sounds like you are ruining your subordinate's work ethic.)

While 甘やかす is the most common way to say 'spoil,' several other words cover similar ground with different nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most closely related word is 可愛がる (kawaigaru), which means to treat with affection or to cherish. While you can kawaigaru a pet without spoiling it, amayakasu always implies the 'sweetness' has gone too far.

甘やかす vs. 可愛がる: 'Amayakasu' focuses on the lack of discipline. 'Kawaigaru' focuses on the love and affection shown to a subordinate or pet.
甘やかす vs. 放任する (hōnin suru): 'Amayakasu' is active indulgence (giving too much). 'Hōnin suru' is passive neglect (leaving them alone to do whatever they want).
甘やかす vs. 溺愛する (dekiai suru): 'Dekiai suru' means to dote on someone blindly. It is a stronger, more emotional version of spoiling.

彼は一人娘を溺愛しており、何でも買い与えてしまう。
(He dotes blindly on his only daughter and buys her everything.)

In a more negative or formal sense, you might use 恣にする (hoshiimama ni suru), which means to let someone have their own way completely, often used in historical or literary contexts. For a more colloquial or idiomatic expression, there is 蝶よ花よと育てる (chō yo hana yo to sodateru), which literally means 'to raise like butterflies and flowers,' describing a child (usually a girl) who is raised with extreme care and indulgence, protected from all hardships. This is a very vivid way to describe someone who has been 'spoiled rotten.'

When talking about self-indulgence, 自分にご褒美をあげる (jibun ni gohōbi o ageru), meaning 'to give oneself a reward,' is a very common alternative to 自分を甘やかす. While 'amayakasu' might imply you are being lazy or weak, 'gohōbi' implies you have worked hard and earned the treat. Choosing between these depends on whether you want to sound like you're taking a necessary break or just being a bit 'naughty' or 'soft' on yourself.

テストが終わったので、自分にご褒美をあげた。
(Since the test is over, I gave myself a reward.)

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The kanji for 'amai' (甘) depicts a mouth with something sweet inside. This 'sweetness' is the core of the verb.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ama.jaka.su/

US /ama.jaka.su/

In Tokyo Japanese, the accent is often on the 'ma' or flat (Heiban).

Rima con

Kasu (to lend) Nasu (eggplant) Tasu (to add) Dasu (to put out) Hanasu (to speak) Kikasu (to make listen) Ugokasu (to move) Odorokasu (to surprise)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the final 'u' too strongly.
Confusing the pitch with 'amaeru'.
Stressing the wrong syllable (Japanese is mora-timed, not stress-timed).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The kanji is simple (甘), and the verb follows standard Godan patterns.

Escritura 2/5

Easy to write, but remember the 'ya-ka-su' hiragana part.

Expresión oral 3/5

Requires distinguishing from 'amaeru' in real-time.

Escucha 2/5

Clearly distinguishable in speech due to its length.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

甘い子供育てる厳しい優しい

Aprende después

甘える過保護自立放任躾ける

Avanzado

依存心恣意溺愛寵愛恩情

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive vs Intransitive (Amayakasu vs Amaeru)

母が子を甘やかす (Transitive) / 子が母に甘える (Intransitive)

Verb Stem + Sugiru (Excess)

甘やかしすぎると良くない。

Passive Construction (Sodatsu)

甘やかされて育った。

Nominalization with 'No'

甘やかすのは簡単だ。

Negative 'Zu' form

甘やかさず、厳しく育てる。

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Ejemplos por nivel

母は私を甘やかします。

My mother spoils me.

Standard Subject-Object-Verb.

犬を甘やかさないでください。

Please don't spoil the dog.

Negative request form.

おばあちゃんはいつも孫を甘やかします。

Grandma always spoils her grandkids.

Frequency adverb 'itsumo'.

彼は猫を甘やかしている。

He is spoiling the cat.

Present continuous form (~te iru).

自分を甘やかして、チョコレートを食べた。

I pampered myself and ate chocolate.

Reflexive use 'jibun o'.

父はあまり私を甘やかしませんでした。

My father didn't spoil me much.

Past negative form.

妹を甘やかすのはやめてください。

Please stop spoiling my younger sister.

Using 'yomete kudasai' with the nominalized verb.

甘やかすのは良くないです。

Spoiling is not good.

Nominalization with 'no'.

子供を甘やかしすぎると、わがままになります。

If you spoil children too much, they become selfish.

Verb stem + sugiru (too much).

私は甘やかされて育ちました。

I was raised spoiled.

Passive te-form + sodatsu (to grow up).

そんなに甘やかしてはいけませんよ。

You shouldn't spoil them that much, you know.

~te wa ikemasen (prohibition).

たまには自分を甘やかすことも大切です。

It's also important to pamper yourself once in a while.

Noun phrase 'koto' as a subject.

彼は弟を甘やかしてばかりいる。

He is doing nothing but spoiling his younger brother.

~te bakari iru (doing nothing but).

甘やかさないで、厳しく教えてください。

Don't spoil them; please teach them strictly.

Negative te-form for contrast.

彼女はペットを甘やかしすぎだと言われた。

She was told that she spoils her pet too much.

Passive report 'to iwareta'.

どうしてそんなに彼を甘やかすのですか？

Why do you spoil him so much?

Explanatory 'no desu ka'.

もし彼を甘やかしていたら、彼は自立できなかっただろう。

If I had spoiled him, he probably wouldn't have been able to become independent.

Conditional past 'tara' + potential negative.

部下を甘やかすのと、信頼するのは違います。

Spoiling a subordinate is different from trusting them.

Comparing two nominalized phrases.

甘やかされて育った人は、苦労に弱い傾向がある。

People who were raised spoiled tend to be weak against hardships.

Relative clause describing 'hito'.

彼女は自分を甘やかすのが上手だ。

She is good at pampering herself.

Nominalization 'no' + 'jōzu' (skilled).

親が子供を甘やかすのは、愛情の一種かもしれない。

Parents spoiling their children might be a type of love.

Speculative 'kamoshirenai'.

彼は自分が甘やかされていることに気づいていない。

He doesn't realize that he is being spoiled.

Passive continuous 'sarete iru' in a noun clause.

甘やかさないように気をつけています。

I am taking care not to spoil them.

~yō ni ki o tsukeru (take care to/not to).

誰かを甘やかすことは、その人のためにならないこともある。

Spoiling someone is sometimes not for their own good.

~no tame ni naranai (not for the sake of).

過保護な親は、子供を甘やかすことで成長の機会を奪ってしまう。

Overprotective parents rob children of opportunities to grow by spoiling them.

Using 'de' to indicate means/method.

政府が特定の業界を甘やかすのは、不公平だという声がある。

There are voices saying it's unfair for the government to spoil specific industries.

Noun clause + 'to iu koe ga aru'.

自分を甘やかす言い訳を探すのはやめなさい。

Stop looking for excuses to pamper yourself.

Noun-modifying phrase 'amayakasu iiwake'.

彼は甘やかされた環境で育ったにもかかわらず、非常に謙虚だ。

Despite being raised in a spoiled environment, he is very humble.

~ni mo kakawarazu (despite).

新入社員を甘やかさず、最初から責任ある仕事を任せるべきだ。

We should not spoil new employees but entrust them with responsible work from the start.

Negative 'zu' form for contrast.

甘やかすことが必ずしも優しさだとは限らない。

Spoiling someone is not necessarily the same as being kind.

~to wa kagiranai (not necessarily).

彼は周囲に甘やかされて、わがまま放題に振る舞っている。

He is spoiled by those around him and behaves as selfishly as he pleases.

~hōdai (to do as one pleases).

彼女の才能を甘やかしてはいけない。もっと磨く必要がある。

We must not let her talent go to waste by being too easy on her. She needs to polish it more.

Metaphorical use for 'talent'.

現代社会は、個人の弱さを甘やかす傾向にあるとの批判がある。

There is a criticism that modern society tends to indulge individual weaknesses.

Formal 'to no hihan ga aru'.

リーダーは時に冷酷にならなければならず、部下を甘やかす余裕はない。

A leader must sometimes be ruthless and has no room to spoil subordinates.

Noun 'yoyū' (room/leeway).

甘やかしの構造が組織の腐敗を招いた要因の一つである。

The structure of indulgence was one of the factors that led to organizational corruption.

Noun form 'amayakashi' used as a subject.

伝統を甘やかすことなく、常に新しい視点を取り入れるべきだ。

Without indulging in tradition, we should always incorporate new perspectives.

Metaphorical use with 'tradition'.

彼は自分の感情を甘やかすことを嫌い、常に論理的に行動する。

He dislikes indulging his own emotions and always acts logically.

Object phrase 'kanjō o amayakasu koto'.

教育現場における「甘やかし」と「受容」の境界線は極めて曖昧だ。

The boundary between 'indulgence' and 'acceptance' in educational settings is extremely blurred.

Abstract noun usage in quotes.

市場を甘やかす政策は、長期的には経済の停滞を招く恐れがある。

Policies that indulge the market risk causing economic stagnation in the long run.

~osore ga aru (fear/risk that).

彼女の文章は、読者を甘やかさない難解さを持っている。

Her writing has a complexity that does not coddle the reader.

Personification of 'writing'.

日本文化特有の「甘え」の構造は、他者を甘やかすことを美徳とする側面がある。

The 'Amae' structure unique to Japanese culture has an aspect that regards spoiling others as a virtue.

Advanced cultural analysis.

自己を甘やかす欺瞞を排し、真理を追求する姿勢が求められる。

An attitude that rejects the deception of self-indulgence and pursues the truth is required.

Highly formal/academic vocabulary.

権力者がメディアを甘やかすことで、言論の自由が損なわれる危険性がある。

By the powerful indulging the media, there is a danger that freedom of speech will be undermined.

Political discourse.

この作品は、安易なハッピーエンドで観客を甘やかすことを拒絶している。

This work refuses to coddle the audience with an easy happy ending.

Artistic critique.

慈悲と甘やかしを混同することは、真の救済から遠ざかる行為である。

Confusing compassion with indulgence is an act that moves one away from true salvation.

Philosophical distinction.

企業が不採算部門を甘やかし続けることは、全体の競争力を削ぐ結果となる。

Continuing to indulge unprofitable departments in a company results in weakening overall competitiveness.

Economic analysis.

彼は、自身の才能に対する世間の甘やかしに甘んじることなく、研鑽を積んだ。

Without being complacent about the public's indulgence of his talent, he continued to study and practice diligently.

Literary style using 'amanjiru'.

歴史を顧みれば、国民を甘やかすポピュリズムがいかに危険であるかが分かる。

Looking back at history, one can see how dangerous populism that indulges the citizenry can be.

Historical/Political analysis.

Colocaciones comunes

子供を甘やかす

自分を甘やかす

甘やかされて育つ

孫を甘やかす

ペットを甘やかす

新人を甘やかす

部下を甘やかす

感情を甘やかす

甘やかすような態度

甘やかしの教育

Frases Comunes

甘やかしすぎ

— Spoiling too much. Used as a noun or adjective.

それは甘やかしすぎだよ。

甘やかすな

— Don't spoil (them). A strong command.

あいつを甘やかすな！

甘やかされる

— To be spoiled (passive).

末っ子は甘やかされやすい。

自分への甘やかし

— Indulgence toward oneself.

自分への甘やかしもほどほどに。

甘やかす親

— An indulgent parent.

甘やかす親が子供をダメにする。

甘やかす環境

— A coddling environment.

甘やかす環境から抜け出す。

甘やかしっ子

— A spoiled child (slightly dated).

彼は典型的な甘やかしっ子だ。

甘やかすつもりはない

— I have no intention of spoiling.

彼を甘やかすつもりはない。

甘やかした結果

— As a result of spoiling.

甘やかした結果、彼は何もできなくなった。

甘やかし合い

— Mutual indulgence.

二人は甘やかし合っている。

Se confunde a menudo con

甘やかす vs 甘える (Amaeru)

The most common confusion. Amayakasu is the giver; Amaeru is the receiver.

甘やかす vs 可愛がる (Kawaigaru)

Kawaigaru is purely affectionate; Amayakasu implies a lack of discipline.

甘やかす vs 優しい (Yasashii)

Yasashii is a positive adjective for 'kind'; Amayakasu is an action that can be negative.

Modismos y expresiones

"蝶よ花よと育てる"

— To raise a child with extreme care and indulgence.

彼女は蝶よ花よと育てられたお嬢様だ。

Literary

"甘い顔を見せる"

— To show a soft or lenient side to someone.

犯人に甘い顔を見せてはいけない。

Neutral

"目に入れても痛くない"

— To love someone (usually a grandchild) so much it wouldn't hurt to put them in your eye.

孫は目に入れても痛くないほど甘やかしている。

Colloquial

"箸の上げ下げまで"

— To interfere or help with even the smallest things (like moving chopsticks).

箸の上げ下げまで甘やかしてはいけない。

Metaphorical

"猫可愛がり"

— Blind or excessive affection.

彼は愛犬を猫可愛がりしている。

Neutral

"温室育ち"

— Raised in a greenhouse (spoiled/sheltered).

彼は温室育ちだから世間知らずだ。

Metaphorical

"至れり尽くせり"

— Perfect service/care (can lead to spoiling).

至れり尽くせりの環境で甘やかされた。

Neutral

"手塩にかける"

— To raise with great care (positive, but can border on spoiling).

手塩にかけて育てた娘を甘やかす。

Positive

"おんぶにだっこ"

— Complete reliance on others (the result of being spoiled).

彼は周囲におんぶにだっこで甘やかされている。

Colloquial

"腫れ物に触るよう"

— Treating someone with extreme caution/softness.

彼を甘やかして、腫れ物に触るように接している。

Metaphorical

Fácil de confundir

甘やかす vs 甘える

Same root (ama).

Amayeru is intransitive (to depend on kindness). Amayakasu is transitive (to give that kindness excessively).

子供が母に甘える。母が子供を甘やかす。

甘やかす vs 可愛がる

Both involve being nice to someone.

Kawaigaru focuses on the feeling of love. Amayakasu focuses on the act of giving in to whims.

祖父は孫を可愛がっているが、決して甘やかさない。

甘やかす vs 放任する

Both involve not being strict.

Amayakasu is active (giving too much). Honin is passive (ignoring/letting be).

甘やかす親と、放任する親はどちらも問題だ。

甘やかす vs 溺愛する

Both mean 'to spoil'.

Dekiai is more about the intense emotional obsession. Amayakasu is the behavior itself.

溺愛するあまり、何でも甘やかしてしまう。

甘やかす vs 甘んじる

Same root (ama).

Amanjiru means to be content with or resigned to a situation. Unrelated to spoiling others.

現状に甘んじてはいけない。

Patrones de oraciones

[Object] を甘やかします。

犬を甘やかします。

[Object] を甘やかしすぎます。

子供を甘やかしすぎます。

甘やかされて育ちました。

彼は甘やかされて育ちました。

自分を甘やかすために [Action]。

自分を甘やかすためにケーキを買った。

[Subject] は [Object] を甘やかす傾向がある。

祖父母は孫を甘やかす傾向がある。

甘やかしの構造が [Result] を招く。

甘やかしの構造が組織の停滞を招く。

[Object] を甘やかすことなく [Action]。

伝統を甘やかすことなく改革する。

[Concept] に対する世間の甘やかしに甘んじる。

才能に対する世間の甘やかしに甘んじる。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

甘やかし (Indulgence)

甘え (Dependency)

Verbos

甘える (To depend/act spoiled)

甘やかす (To spoil)

Adjetivos

甘い (Sweet/Lenient)

Relacionado

可愛い

過保護

依存

教育

躾

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High in domestic and psychological contexts.

Errores comunes

Confusing with 甘える (amaeru) → 母を甘やかす (I spoil mom) vs 母に甘える (I depend on mom)
The direction of the action is the most common error for learners.
Using particle に (ni) instead of を (o) → 子供を甘やかす
Since it is a transitive verb, 'o' is required for the object.
Using it for 'being kind' in general → 友達に優しくする
'Amayakasu' implies a lack of discipline and is usually not used for friends.
Using it for 'indulging in food' without 'jibun o' → 自分を甘やかしてケーキを食べる
You cannot 'amayakasu' an object like cake; you 'amayakasu' a person (yourself).
Assuming it's always negative → たまには自分を甘やかそう
It can be positive in a self-care context.

Consejos

Check Your Particles

Always use 'o' for the person being spoiled. 'Kodomo o amayakasu' is correct; 'Kodomo ni amayakasu' is not.

Amae Context

Understand that 'spoiling' in Japan has a different social threshold than in the West. Some behaviors seen as 'spoiling' in the US might be 'normal care' in Japan.

Compound Verbs

Add '~sugiru' to the stem 'amayakashi-' to express that someone is going overboard.

Avoid Critical Usage

Calling someone's child 'amayakasarete iru' to their face is very rude. Keep it for private discussions.

Positive Self-Talk

Use 'jibun o amayakasu' when you want to justify a break or a treat. It's a healthy way to use the word.

Tone Matters

Listen for the difference between a playful 'amayakashichau' (I'm gonna spoil you!) and a stern 'amayakasu na' (Don't spoil them).

Passive is Key

When describing a 'spoiled brat' character, 'amayakasarete sodatta' is the most natural-sounding phrase.

Root Association

Connect it to 'amai' (sweet) and 'amadoi' (lenient) to build a semantic map in your brain.

Indulgence vs. Neglect

Don't confuse 'amayakasu' with 'honin' (neglect). Spoiling is giving too much; neglect is giving too little.

Devoicing the 'U'

In fast speech, the final 'u' in 'amayakasu' is almost silent. Practice saying 'amayakas'!

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Amayakasu' as 'A-Mama-Yakas-U' (A mama who yacks at you but gives you everything). Or focus on 'Ama' (Sweet) + 'Kas' (to lend/give). You are giving sweetness.

Asociación visual

Imagine a child covered in sugar or honey, with a parent pouring more on them while the child refuses to walk.

Word Web

Sweet Spoil Parent Lenient Amae Candy Child Pet

Desafío

Try to use 'amayakasu' and 'amaeru' in the same sentence to describe a relationship.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the adjective 'amai' (甘い), meaning sweet. The suffix '-yakasu' is a verbalizing suffix that often implies an action done to excess or with a specific intent.

Significado original: To treat someone 'sweetly' or to make the environment 'sweet' for them.

Japonic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this to describe someone's parenting; it is a direct criticism of their discipline.

In English, 'spoil' can also mean 'to rot' (like food). In Japanese, 'amayakasu' only refers to the social act of indulgence.

Takeo Doi's 'The Anatomy of Dependence' Modern parenting blogs in Japan Anime characters like Suneo from Doraemon

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Parenting

甘やかしすぎ
厳しくしつける
子供の将来
わがまま

Pet Care

おやつをあげる
しつけ
可愛がる
太らせる

Self-Care

自分へのご褒美
たまには
リラックス
贅沢

Workplace

新人の指導
甘い顔をしない
責任感
自立させる

Relationships

彼女に甘い
尽くす
依存する
大切にする

Inicios de conversación

"子供の頃、親に甘やかされましたか？"

"自分を甘やかすために、どんなことをしますか？"

"ペットを甘やかしすぎて困ったことはありますか？"

"「甘やかす」と「優しくする」の違いは何だと思いますか？"

"最近の親は子供を甘やかしすぎだと思いますか？"

Temas para diario

今日は自分をどのように甘やかしましたか？その理由も書いてください。

あなたが考える「理想的な子育て」における甘やかしの範囲について書いてください。

甘やかされて育った人の特徴について、あなたの意見を述べてください。

仕事で誰かを甘やかしてしまった経験はありますか？その結果どうなりましたか？

日本文化の「甘え」と「甘やかす」について、自分の国と比較して書いてください。

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, it can be used for romantic partners (pampering) or subordinates at work (being too soft). However, be careful as it can imply the adult is immature.

Not necessarily. Using it for self-care ('jibun o amayakasu') is often seen as positive and necessary in a high-stress society.

You should use the passive form: 'Ryōshin ni amayakasureta' or 'Ryōshin ni amayakasurete sodatta'.

Amayakasu means you let them have their way (often negative). Kawaigaru means you cherish them (positive).

Yes, 'jibun o amayakasu' is a common phrase for treating yourself to something nice.

The most direct opposite is 'kibishiku suru' (to be strict) or 'shitsukeru' (to discipline).

Very much so. It's the standard word for spoiling a dog or cat with treats and attention.

It is very common, but it can also be written in hiragana (あまやかす), especially in informal contexts.

It's the noun form of 'spoiling too much.' Example: 'Sore wa amayakashisugi da' (That's too much spoiling).

Amayakasu is the action that satisfies someone's 'Amae' (need for dependence). It completes the social cycle.

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