甘い
amai[a̠ma̠i]
The Japanese word for sweet is 甘い (amai).
甘い is primarily used to describe something that has a pleasant, sugary taste. Beyond literal taste, it is used figuratively to describe a person or an approach that is naive, easygoing or lacks strictness and discipline. If you want to describe something as cute, adorable or endearing, the informal word かわいい is often used to convey a sense of sweetness in personality or appearance.
Meaning: having a pleasant taste (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 甘い describes a pleasant sugary taste, in professional or social contexts, it can also imply a 'soft' approach or a lack of discipline.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
amai
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 甘え (amae) describes the desire to be loved or cared for in a way that allows one to be dependent, a concept with no single word in English.
- When a parent spoils a child or is overly indulgent, the Japanese use the verb 甘やかす (amayakasu), which literally means to make someone 'sweet'.
- A 'sweet' or 'soft' voice in Japanese is described as 甘い声 (amai koe), which often implies a seductive or flirtatious tone.
Examples in context
- それは甘いの？Is that sweet?This example shows how to ask if something is sweet using 甘い.Tatoeba #8692228 by bunbuku, translation #2176362 by dafp
- このりんごは甘い。This apple is sweet.This example uses 甘い to describe the taste of an apple.Tatoeba #223018 by bunbuku, translation #60349 by CK
- チョコレートは甘い。Chocolate tastes sweet.This example uses 甘い to describe the taste of chocolate.Tatoeba #202873 by KK_kaku_, translation #40108 by mccarras
- 甘い食べ物Sweet food
- 甘い人生Sweet life
- 彼女は子供を甘やかしているShe spoils her child
- 彼は優しい人だHe is a sweet person
- その子猫はとてもかわいいThat kitten is very sweet
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are eating dessert at a cafe.
- 健太 Kentaこのプリン、すごく甘いね！Kono purin, sugoku amai ne!This pudding is really sweet!
- 結衣 Yui本当だ、とても甘くて美味しいよ。Hontō da, totemo amakute oishii yo.You're right, it's very sweet and delicious.
- 健太 Kenta結衣は甘いものが好き？Yui wa amai mono ga suki?Do you like sweet things, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、大好きだよ。Un, daisuki da yo.Yes, I love them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet” translations and entries 甘い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
