甘え
Meanings
1
overdependence; presumed indulgence; attention-seeking behavior
Refers to the Japanese cultural concept of relying on another's benevolence, often in a parent-child or senior-junior relationship, with an expectation of being indulged. Can also describe childish attention-seeking behavior.
See also: 甘える (あまえる)
I can't put up with his overdependence anymore.
The concept of 'amae' is important for understanding Japanese culture.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉の甘えを許すto indulge someone's dependent behavior
The mother always ends up indulging her son's dependent behavior.
- 甘えが出るone's dependent/clingy side comes out
When he gets tired, his dependent side comes out.
- 甘えを捨てるto give up one's reliance on others' indulgence
Once you become a working adult, you should give up relying on others' indulgence.