お菓子
okashi[o̞ka̠ɕi]
The English phrase "snacks" is translated into Japanese as お菓子 (okashi).
お菓子 is used to describe various types of sweets or treats in general, such as small portions of candy or treats eaten between meals. This category can include specific items like senbei (traditional rice crackers), yokan (a traditional jellied dessert) or manju (traditional sweet buns filled with various ingredients).
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of the polite prefix o- and kashi, which means sweets or confectionery.
Which one should you use?
While お菓子 is the general term for sweets and snacks, the word oyatsu is specifically used to refer to the snack time itself or the snack eaten between meals.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dropping the o- prefix to say 菓子 makes the term more formal or technical. This version is often used in commercial contexts, such as in the term kashi-ten (confectionery store).
How do you pronounce it?
okashi
Did you know?
- The term oyatsu for snack time is derived from the word for 'eight', reflecting an ancient tradition of eating a light meal at the hour of the Monkey (around 3 PM).
- In Japan, it is common to give okashi as a 'temiyage' or small gift when visiting someone's home to show gratitude and avoid arriving empty-handed.
- The word kashi is a loanword from the Chinese word for 'cake' or 'confection', reflecting the historical influence of Chinese sweets on Japanese culture.
Examples in context
- 私のお菓子食べたの、誰？Who ate my snacks?This sentence is useful for identifying who ate your snacks.Tatoeba #8914070 by bunbuku, translation #3154657 by CK
- お菓子売り場はどこですか？Where can I buy snacks?This sentence is useful for asking where to find the snack section.Tatoeba #9838007 by bunbuku, translation #51874 by CK
- 「普段、お菓子って、買って食べたりする？」「自分ではあまり買わないけど、オフィスにいつもいろんなお菓子が置いてあるから、たまに食べるよ」"Do you usually buy snacks and eat them?" "Well, I don't buy them myself a lot, but there's always all these snacks lying around in the office, so I eat them once in a while."This sentence is useful for discussing how often you eat snacks and where they are found.Tatoeba #10777103 by small_snow, translation #10794261 by end
- すみません、お菓子はありますか？Excuse me, do you have any snacks?
- 友達と一緒に、おやつを食べましょう！Let's eat snacks together with friends!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking in a break room.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、このお菓子食べる？Kenta-kun, kono okashi taberu?Kenta, do you want some of these snacks?
- 健太 Kentaいいの？ありがとう！Ii no? Arigatou!Are you sure? Thanks!
- 美咲 Misakiうん、たくさんあるから大丈夫だよ。Un, takusan aru kara daijoubu da yo.Yeah, I have plenty, so it's okay.
- 健太 Kenta甘いお菓子は大好きだよ。Amai okashi wa daisuki da yo.I love sweet snacks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry お菓子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お菓子, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
