甘えん坊
amaenbō
The Japanese word for 'needy' is 甘えん坊 (amaenbō).
甘えん坊 is used to describe someone who needs constant affirmation. While it can be used to describe a needy person in a romantic context, it is most commonly used to describe children or pets who crave attention and affection.
Meaning: needing constant affirmation (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term is informal and carries a somewhat cute or endearing nuance, rather than being a harsh psychological criticism.
How do you pronounce it?
amaenbō
Did you know?
- The root of 甘えん坊 is 甘え (amae), a psychological concept so unique to Japanese culture that it is often left untranslated in academic texts.
- The root word 甘い (amai), meaning 'sweet', is hidden within 甘えん坊, linking the act of needing affection to the sensation of sweetness.
- The suffix 坊 (bō) in 甘えん坊 originally referred to a Buddhist novice monk, but evolved to be a suffix for mischievous or spoiled boys.
Examples in context
- 彼はいつも依存的な態度を見せます。He always shows a dependent attitude.
- 彼女は頼りっぱなしで少し疲れます。She's always reliant and it can be a bit tiring.
- マイクはよく頼むから、困ってしまいます。Mike often asks for help, so it's troubling.
- 彼は甘えん坊なところがある。Kare wa amaenbo na tokoro ga aru.He has a needy side.
- 妹はとても甘えん坊です。Imouto wa totemo amaenbo desu.My younger sister is very needy.
- 甘えん坊な性格は大変だ。Amaenbo na seikaku wa taihen da.Having a needy personality is tough.
Example conversation
A couple is talking about a pet cat.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの猫はすごく甘えん坊だね。Kono neko wa sugoku amaenbo dane.This cat is so needy, isn't he?
- 結衣 Yui本当。ずっとそばにいたいみたい。Hontou. Zutto soba ni itai mitai.Really. It seems like he wants to be by my side all the time.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、猫に似てるよ。Yui, neko ni niteru yo.Yui, you are just like the cat.
- 結衣 Yuiそんなこと言わないで！Sonna koto iwanaide!Don't say things like that!
