A1 Collocation Neutre

甘いお菓子

amai okashi

Sweet snacks

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A simple way to describe any kind of sweet snack, from traditional Japanese treats to modern candies.

  • Means: Sweet confections or snacks (max 15 words)
  • Used in: Cafes, convenience stores, and social tea time (max 15 words)
  • Don't confuse: With 'amai mono', which is broader and includes fruit (max 15 words)
🍭 + 🍰 = {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}

Explanation at your level:

This is a very basic phrase. '{甘|あま}い' means 'sweet' and 'お{菓子|かし}' means 'snack.' You use it to say what you like to eat. It is one of the first food phrases you learn because it is easy to use with the verb '{好|す}きです' (I like).
At this level, you can use the phrase to shop or order. You can describe the snacks using other adjectives like '{好|す}きな{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}' (sweet snacks I like) or use it in sentences about your daily routine, like eating sweets after lunch.
You can now discuss the variety of sweets. You might compare '{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}' with savory ones. You understand that adding 'o' makes it polite. You can use it to explain Japanese gift-giving customs (omiyage) to others in simple terms.
You understand the nuance between '{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}' and 'スイーツ.' You can talk about health trends, such as people avoiding sweet treats for fitness, or the specific ingredients like 'anko' (red bean paste) that make Japanese sweets unique.
You can analyze the linguistic role of the beautification prefix 'o' and how it elevates the register. You can discuss the historical shift of 'kashi' from fruit to confections and its impact on Japanese culinary literature and social etiquette.
You possess a near-native grasp of the phrase's semiotics. You can discuss the 'amai' aesthetic in Japanese culture—how sweetness in confections relates to the concept of 'amae' (dependence/indulgence) and the intricate seasonal symbolism embedded in high-end confectionery names.

Signification

Confections or treats that taste sweet.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In 'Sado' (tea ceremony), the sweet treat (omogashi) is eaten *before* drinking the bitter matcha. This prepares the palate for the tea's complexity. In Japan, men give 'amai okashi' (usually white chocolate or cookies) to women who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day. The basement of Japanese department stores is a paradise for 'amai okashi.' It's where people buy high-end gifts for business or family. Every prefecture in Japan has a famous 'amai okashi.' For example, Kyoto is famous for 'Yatsuhashi' (cinnamon mochi).

💡

The 'O' Factor

Always use the 'o' in 'okashi' when speaking to someone you don't know well. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.

⚠️

Not for Fruit

Remember, even if a strawberry is sweet, it's not an 'okashi.' It's a 'kudamono' (fruit).

Signification

Confections or treats that taste sweet.

💡

The 'O' Factor

Always use the 'o' in 'okashi' when speaking to someone you don't know well. It makes you sound much more natural and polite.

⚠️

Not for Fruit

Remember, even if a strawberry is sweet, it's not an 'okashi.' It's a 'kudamono' (fruit).

🎯

Betsubara

Learn the word 'Betsubara' (dessert stomach) to use alongside this phrase. It's a great conversation starter!

Teste-toi

Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form.

このケーキはとても（　）お{菓子|かし}です。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {甘|あま}い

We need the dictionary form of the I-adjective to modify the noun 'okashi.'

Which sentence is the most natural for an adult to use?

Choose the best sentence:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}を{食|た}べます。

This uses the polite 'o' prefix, the correct verb 'taberu,' and the polite '-masu' ending.

Complete the dialogue.

A: お{茶|ちゃ}をどうぞ。 B: ありがとうございます。（　）もどうぞ。 A: わあ、おいしそう！

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}

In Japan, it is customary to serve sweet treats with tea.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are at a friend's house and they offer you a cookie.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}、ありがとうございます。

This is a polite way to accept a treat.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Types of Amai Okashi

🍡

Wagashi

  • • Mochi
  • • Anko
  • • Dorayaki
🍰

Yogashi

  • • Cake
  • • Cookie
  • • Chocolate

Questions fréquentes

5 questions

Yes, it can be, but people often use the specific word 'ke-ki' or the broader 'yogashi' (Western sweets).

You can, but it sounds a bit masculine, blunt, or like you are reading a textbook. 'Okashi' is much more common.

The opposite is 'shio-karai okashi' (salty snacks) or simply 'karai okashi.'

Yes, chocolate is one of the most common examples of 'amai okashi.'

Yes, but it doesn't mean they taste sweet! It means they are 'lenient' or 'naive.'

Expressions liées

🔗

{甘|あま}いもの

similar

Sweet things

🔗

おやつ

similar

Snack time / Afternoon snack

🔗

{和菓子|わがし}

specialized form

Traditional Japanese sweets

🔗

{洋菓子|ようがし}

specialized form

Western-style sweets

🔗

{辛|から}いお{菓子|かし}

contrast

Salty/Spicy snacks

Où l'utiliser

🏪

At a Convenience Store

Friend A: おなかすいたね。{何|なに}か{食|た}べる？

Friend B: うん、{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}が{食|た}べたいな。

informal
🏠

Visiting a Friend's House

Guest: これ、お{土産|みやげ}です。{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}です。

Host: ありがとうございます！おいしそうですね。

neutral
☕

At a Cafe

Customer: コーヒーに{合|あ}う{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}はありますか？

Staff: はい、こちらのクッキーがおすすめです。

neutral
🏥

Talking to a Doctor

Doctor: {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}はよく{食|た}べますか？

Patient: いいえ、あまり{食|た}べません。

formal
🏢

Office Break Room

Colleague A: {机|つくえ}の{上|うえ}に{甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}がありますよ。

Colleague B: わあ、ありがとうございます。いただきます！

neutral
🧒

Shopping for a Child

Parent: {甘|あま}いお{菓子|かし}は１つだけだよ。

Child: えー、もっとほしい！

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Amai' as 'A-my!' (Oh my, how sweet!) and 'Okashi' as 'O-candy' (Oh, candy!).

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, smiling strawberry mochi (okashi) wearing a crown because it is so 'honorable' (the 'o' prefix) and sweet (amai).

Rhyme

Amai okashi, hitsuyo na watashi (Sweet treats, the necessary me / I need sweet treats).

Story

You are walking in Tokyo and see a sign with a giant candy cane. You say 'Amai!' because it looks sweet. A polite shopkeeper hands you a box and says 'Okashi.' You combine them to remember your favorite thing to buy.

Word Web

{甘|あま}い (Sweet)お{菓子|かし} (Snack)チョコレート (Chocolate)ケーキ (Cake)キャンディ (Candy)クッキー (Cookie)デザート (Dessert)おやつ (Snack time)

Défi

Go to a Japanese grocery store (or website) and find 5 items that qualify as 'amai okashi.' Say the phrase out loud for each one.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Dulces

Spanish uses the same word for the adjective and the noun.

French moderate

Sucreries

French distinguishes more strictly between candy and baked goods.

German high

Süßigkeiten

German doesn't use a 'polite prefix' like the Japanese 'o'.

Arabic high

حلويات (Halawiyat)

Arabic 'Halawiyat' often implies specific traditional honey/nut pastries.

Chinese high

甜食 (Tiánshí)

Chinese 'Tiánshí' is slightly more literal and less 'cute' than 'okashi'.

Korean high

단것 (Dan-geot)

Korean 'gwaja' often leans more towards chips/crackers.

Portuguese high

Doces

In Portugal, 'doces' often refers specifically to egg-based desserts.

English high

Sweet treats

English often uses 'candy' or 'dessert' which are more specific than 'okashi'.

Easily Confused

甘いお菓子 vs {甘|あま}い{物|もの} (Amai mono)

Learners often use them interchangeably.

Use 'okashi' when referring to specific snacks/candies, and 'amai mono' for the general category of 'anything sweet.'

甘いお菓子 vs デザート (Deza-to)

Both mean sweet food.

'Deza-to' is specifically the course at the end of a meal. 'Okashi' can be eaten anytime.

FAQ (5)

Yes, it can be, but people often use the specific word 'ke-ki' or the broader 'yogashi' (Western sweets).

You can, but it sounds a bit masculine, blunt, or like you are reading a textbook. 'Okashi' is much more common.

The opposite is 'shio-karai okashi' (salty snacks) or simply 'karai okashi.'

Yes, chocolate is one of the most common examples of 'amai okashi.'

Yes, but it doesn't mean they taste sweet! It means they are 'lenient' or 'naive.'

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