Translation guide
A substance used to make food or drink sweet, or something used to make an offer more attractive.
A substance added to food or drink to make it sweet, such as sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners.
General term for any sweetening agent, including sugar, honey, and artificial sweeteners. Used in food labeling and cooking.
This sweetener is low in calories.
Specifically refers to sugar (sucrose). The most common sweetener in everyday cooking.
Something offered to make a deal or proposal more attractive, often in business or negotiations.
When referring to a bribe or illegal incentive, 甘味料 may sound too euphemistic. In such cases, 賄賂 (わいろ, bribe) is more direct, but use with caution as it implies illegality.
砂糖の代わりに甘味料を使っています。
I use sweetener instead of sugar.
Artificial sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose. Often used in diet products.
Artificial sweeteners are sweeter than sugar.
Metaphorical use, same word as food sweetener. Common in business contexts for perks or incentives.
As a sweetener for the contract, we offer a free upgrade.
Something extra given for free to make a deal more attractive, like a bonus or freebie. More casual than 甘味料.
If you buy this car, a GPS comes as a sweetener.
Loanword from English, used in business for incentives or perks to motivate action.
We gave bonuses as a sweetener to the employees.