甘え

Japanese

Kanji in this term
甘
あま Grade: S
kun'yomi

Etymology

Noun use of the continuative or stem form amae of verb 甘える (amaeru, “to behave sweetly [to elicit a favorable response]; to behave as a spoiled brat [in assumption of a favorable response]”).

First attested in use as a standalone noun in 1942.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) あまえ [àmáé] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [a̠ma̠e̞]

Noun

甘(あま)え • (amae) 

1. [from 1942] intentionally sweet behavior aimed at inducing someone else to respond favorably
2. by extension:
   1. wheedling or fawning behavior
   2. spoiled or overly dependent behavior

See also

• 甘(あま)える (amaeru)
• 甘(あま)えん坊(ぼう) (amaenbō)
• 甘(あま)やかす (amayakasu)