お菓子
okashi[o̞ka̠ɕi]
The English phrase 'sweets' is translated into Japanese as お菓子 (okashi).
Meaning: confectionery, candy (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of the honorific prefix o and kashi (confectionery/sweets).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Removing the o prefix to use just kashi makes the word more formal or technical, often used in business or manufacturing contexts. Among younger generations, the loanword スイーツ is also commonly used to refer to various desserts and sweet food items.
Did you know?
- In Japan, お菓子 includes savory snacks like rice crackers and potato chips, not just sugary treats.
- Some traditional お菓子 are made from nerikiri, a paste of white beans and sugar that is sculpted by hand like clay.
- The word 菓子 can also refer to 'medicine' in certain historical or highly specific contexts, particularly when discussing old-fashioned pills that were shaped like sweets.
Examples in context
- お菓子買ってよ。Buy me some sweets.This sentence is useful for asking someone to buy お菓子.Tatoeba #8936226 by bunbuku, translation #10282801 by tsp_2
- 無性にお菓子が食べたい。I very much want to eat sweets.This sentence is useful for expressing a strong desire to eat お菓子.Tatoeba #11095510 by small_snow, translation #13698547 by terrywallwork
- 今度一緒にお菓子作ろうよ。How about we make some sweets together next time?This sentence is useful for suggesting making お菓子 together.Tatoeba #3579364 by tommy_san, translation #7910582 by User83551
- 今日、おやつにどんなお菓子が食べたい？What kind of sweets/snacks do you want to have for a snack today?
- デザートの中で、何が一番好きですか？Among desserts, what do you like the most?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about snacks at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、お菓子は好きですか？Misaki-san wa, okashi wa suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like sweets?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、甘いものなら何でも大好きです。Hai, amai mono nara nan demo daisuki desu.Yes, I love anything sweet.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、このお菓子を一緒に食べましょう。Jaa, kono okashi o issho ni tabemashou.Then, let's eat this confectionery together.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます、嬉しいです。Arigatou gozaimasu, ureshii desu.Thank you, I'm happy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry お菓子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
