Translation guide
The English word 'spoiling' covers several distinct meanings: food going bad, a child becoming overindulged, ruining an experience or surprise, and pampering someone. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each situation.
Describing food that has decayed or become inedible.
The most common verb for food rotting or going bad. Used for organic decay.
牛乳が腐っている。
The milk has gone bad.
暑さで食べ物がすぐ腐る。
Food spoils quickly in the heat.
Often used for food that has started to go bad, especially due to physical damage or time. Slightly less strong than 腐る.
この魚は傷みやすい。
This fish spoils easily.
A general, colloquial way to say food has gone bad. Literally 'become bad'.
冷蔵庫に入れないと、すぐ悪くなるよ。
If you don't put it in the fridge, it'll go bad quickly.
Describing a child who is given too much and becomes demanding or ill-behaved.
To spoil a child by being overly indulgent or lenient. The most direct equivalent.
あの子は甘やかされて育った。
That child was spoiled growing up.
甘やかしすぎると、わがままになる。
If you spoil them too much, they become selfish.
A common phrase meaning 'to be raised spoiled'.
彼は甘やかされて育ったので、我慢ができない。
He was spoiled as a child, so he can't endure hardship.
As an adjective, can mean 'indulgent' or 'soft' on someone, often used in phrases like 甘い親 (indulgent parent).
Describing when something good is ruined, especially a surprise, mood, or fun.
To ruin or spoil something, like a plan, mood, or surprise. Very common.
雨でピクニックが台無しになった。
The rain spoiled the picnic.
彼の一言で雰囲気が台無しになった。
His one remark spoiled the atmosphere.
A stronger, more colloquial verb meaning to wreck or spoil. Often used for ruining fun or plans.
Literally 'to pour water on', meaning to spoil the mood or dampen enthusiasm. Idiomatic.
Describing the act of giving someone special treatment, often with affection.
Same word as for spoiling a child, but can also apply to adults in a pampering context.
彼女は彼を甘やかしすぎだ。
She spoils him too much.
To dote on or be affectionate towards, often implying spoiling with love and attention.
To make a fuss over someone, pamper or flatter them. Often used for treating someone like a celebrity.
彼は女の子たちにちやほやされている。
He is being spoiled by the girls (getting a lot of attention).
Both mean food going bad, but 腐る implies rotting or putrefaction, while 傷む is often used for bruising, wilting, or going off due to physical damage or time. 傷む can also be used for non-food items like furniture.
甘やかす only applies to people (or pets). Using it for food spoiling would be incorrect. Use 腐る or 傷む instead.
Those parents are too soft on their kids.
彼が来て、パーティーをぶち壊した。
He came and spoiled the party.
彼の批判が楽しい雰囲気に水を差した。
His criticism spoiled the fun atmosphere.
祖母は孫をとても可愛がっている。
The grandmother spoils her grandchild with affection.