Readings: カン (Onyomi), あま, あまい, あまえる, あまやかす (Kunyomi)
Meaning: sweet, gentle, naive, lenient
The kanji 甘 depicts a mouth (口) with something sweet inside, symbolizing the sensation of sweetness. It is often described as representing a tongue tasting something delicious.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 甘 has 5 strokes. The stroke order is as follows: 1. Top horizontal stroke. 2. Vertical stroke through the middle. 3. Short horizontal stroke to the left. 4. Short horizontal stroke to the right. 5. Bottom horizontal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 甘 (あまい) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- カン (KAN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- あま (ama)
- あまい (amai)
- あまえる (amaeru)
- あまやかす (amayakasu)
Common Words Using 甘
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 甘味 | かんみ | sweetness, sweet taste |
| 甘党 | かんとう | person with a sweet tooth |
| 甘言 | かんげん | sweet words, flattery |
| 甘受 | かんじゅ | passive acceptance |
| 甘露 | かんろ | sweet dew, nectar |
| 甘美 | かんび | sweet, beautiful |
| 甘草 | かんぞう | licorice |
| 甘藷 | かんしょ | sweet potato (often written with 薩摩芋) |
| 甘味処 | かんみどころ | Japanese-style sweets shop |
| 甘心 | かんしん | contentment, satisfaction |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 甘い | あまい | sweet, naive, lenient |
| 甘える | あまえる | to be spoiled, to presume upon (someone’s kindness) |
| 甘やかす | あまやかす | to spoil (a child) |
| 甘口 | あまくち | sweet flavor, mild (sake, curry) |
| 甘さ | あまさ | sweetness |
| 甘酸っぱい | あまずっぱい | sweet and sour |
| 甘酒 | あまざけ | sweet fermented rice drink |
| 甘っちょろい | あまっちょろい | naive, soft (informal) |
| 甘ったれる | あまったれる | to behave like a spoilt child |
| 甘い言葉 | あまいことば | sweet words, flattery |
Example Sentences
Japanese: このケーキはとても甘いです。
Kana: このケーキはとてもあまいです。
Romaji: Kono keeki wa totemo amai desu.
English: This cake is very sweet.
Japanese: 彼は両親に甘えて育った。
Kana: かれはりょうしんにあまえてそだった。
Romaji: Kare wa ryoushin ni amaete sodatta.
English: He grew up spoiled by his parents.
Japanese: 子供を甘やかしすぎてはいけません。
Kana: こどもをあまやかしすぎてはいけません。
Romaji: Kodomo o amayakashisugite wa ikemasen.
English: You shouldn’t spoil your children too much.
Japanese: 彼女は甘いマスクをしている。
Kana: かのじょはあまいマスクをしている。
Romaji: Kanojo wa amai masuku o shiteiru.
English: She has a gentle (sweet) face.
Japanese: 彼の考えは少し甘い。
Kana: かれのかんがえはすこしあまい。
Romaji: Kare no kangae wa sukoshi amai.
English: His idea is a little naive (too optimistic).
Japanese: この料理は甘口なので、子供でも食べられます。
Kana: このりょうりはあまくちなので、こどもでもたべられます。
Romaji: Kono ryouri wa amakuchi nano de, kodomo demo taberaremasu.
English: This dish is mild (sweet-flavored), so even children can eat it.
Japanese: 彼は甘い言葉で彼女をだました。
Kana: かれはあまいことばでかのじょをだました。
Romaji: Kare wa amai kotoba de kanojo o damashita.
English: He deceived her with sweet words (flattery).
Japanese: 疲れた時は甘いものが食べたくなる。
Kana: つかれたときはあまいものがたべたくなる。
Romaji: Tsukareta toki wa amai mono ga tabetakunaru.
English: When I’m tired, I want to eat something sweet.
Japanese: 彼の判断は甘かった。
Kana: かれのはんだんはあまかった。
Romaji: Kare no handan wa amakatta.
English: His judgment was lenient (or naive/optimistic).
Japanese: 風邪をひいたので、甘酒を飲んで温まった。
Kana: かぜをひいたので、あまざけをのんであたたまった。
Romaji: Kaze o hiita node, amazake o nonde atatamatta.
English: Since I caught a cold, I drank amazake and warmed up.
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