甘やかす|あまやかすamayakasu[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto pamper; to spoil
    私は甘あまやかされた子供こどもは嫌きらいだ。↗
    I don't like spoiled children.
Conjugation
Dictionary form甘やかす(あまやかす)
Polite (masu)甘やかします(あまやかします)
Negative (nai)甘やかさない(あまやかさない)
polite (masen)甘やかしません(あまやかしません)
classical zu / nu甘やかさず・甘やかさぬ(あまやかさず・あまやかさぬ)
Past (ta)甘やかした(あまやかした)
polite (mashita)甘やかしました(あまやかしました)
Past negative (nakatta)甘やかさなかった(あまやかさなかった)
polite (masen deshita)甘やかしませんでした(あまやかしませんでした)
Te form甘やかして(あまやかして)
Potential甘やかせる(あまやかせる)
Passive甘やかされる(あまやかされる)
Causative甘やかさせる(あまやかさせる)
Causative passive甘やかさせられる(あまやかさせられる)
Conditional (ba)甘やかせば(あまやかせば)
tara甘やかしたら(あまやかしたら)
Volitional甘やかそう(あまやかそう)
polite (mashou)甘やかしましょう(あまやかしましょう)
Imperative甘やかせ(あまやかせ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
transitive甘やかすあまやかす⇄intransitive甘えるあまえる
親おやが子供こどもを甘あまやかす
甘える describes a person acting dependently or seeking affection from someone (marked by に), while 甘やかす describes a person indulging or spoiling another (marked by を).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymスポイルNeutralLoanword broadly covering damage to things or ruined moods and plans; only when said of people does it mean spoiling. 「甘やかす」 directly means pampering and indulging.
  • SynonymちやほやCasualColloquial: people around you fuss over and flatter you, as in 「みんなにちやほやされる」. It stresses others' doting attitude; 「甘やかす」 stresses the lack of discipline.
  • AntonymしかるNeutralTo scold or reprimand someone for bad words or behavior. It stands opposite to 「甘やかす」, which lets people do as they please without discipline.
  • Antonym厳しくするNeutralTo treat someone strictly and discipline them firmly — the opposite of the lax, indulgent attitude of 「甘やかす」.

Use 「甘やかす」 for pampering a child or going easy on yourself, as in 「子どもを甘やかす」. When the people around someone fawn over and flatter them, say 「ちやほやする」 (passive 「ちやほやされる」). The opposites are 「叱る」 and 「厳しくする」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 躾しつけなどを厳きびしくせず思おもうがままに育そだてる。また、その結果けっか増長ぞうちょうさせてしまう。
  2. 節度せつどをもって厳きびしく対処たいしょしない。惰性だせいに流ながされるままにする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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