おやつ
oyatsu
The Japanese word for snack is おやつ (oyatsu).
おやつ refers to a snack or treats enjoyed between meals. It is most commonly used when referring to snacks for children or snacks eaten in a domestic, casual setting.
Meaning: an item of food eaten between meals (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of the honorific prefix お and やつ, which is an archaic term for a time or interval.
Which one should you use?
While おやつ refers to the food itself, 間食する is used to describe the verb form of eating between meals. For a more clinical or formal term describing the act of snacking or eating between meals, you would use 間食. Additionally, the loanword スナック is borrowed from English to mean snack.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
oyatsu
Did you know?
- While おやつ is the standard for treats, using the loanword スナック can be confusing. In a nightlife context, a スナック refers to a small, informal bar rather than a piece of food.
- Japanese 'snack time' culture often emphasizes seasonal treats. It is common for おやつ to change based on the season, such as using specific seasonal fruits or sweets.
- In some regional contexts, おやつ can include savory items like steamed sweet potatoes or rice cakes, not just sugary treats.
Examples in context
- おやつはどう？How about a snack?This example shows how to suggest a snack using おやつ.Tatoeba #8879292 by small_snow, translation #3636387 by CK
- おやつの時間よ。Time for a snack.This example uses おやつ to announce snack time.Tatoeba #8875264 by small_snow, translation #2565549 by Hybrid
- おやつの時間です。It's time to take a snack.This example uses おやつ to state it is time to take a snack.Tatoeba #13201665 by small_snow, translation #12815098 by Igider
- お菓子はありますか？Are there any snacks?
- おやつをたくさん食べたいです！I want to eat lots of snacks!
- お菓子が美味しいですねThese snacks are delicious!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are in the living room in the afternoon.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、おやつに何を食べたい？Kenta-kun, oyatsu ni nani o tabetai?Kenta, what do you want to eat for a snack?
- 健太 Kentaチョコレートが食べたいです。Chokoreeto ga tabetai desu.I want to eat chocolate.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、これをおやつにしましょう。Jaa, kore o oyatsu ni shimashou.Then, let's have this for a snack.
- 健太 Kentaわあ、ありがとうございます！Waa, arigatou gozaimasu!Wow, thank you!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おやつ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
