1.
reward, prize
Something given in recognition of good work, achievement, or effort. Often used for treats or rewards given to children, or as self-reward.
ご褒美にケーキを買った。
I bought a cake as a reward.
ご褒美 is the polite/common form
頑張ったから、自分へのご褒美だ。
I worked hard, so this is a reward for myself.
子どもが良い成績を取ったので、ご褒美に好きなおもちゃを買ってあげた。
Since the child got good grades, I bought them a toy they liked as a reward.
褒美 is almost always used with the honorific prefix ご as ご褒美. Using 褒美 without ご sounds old-fashioned or literary.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ご褒美をあげる: to give a reward
- ご褒美をもらう: to receive a reward
- 自分へのご褒美: a reward for oneself
- ご褒美に～する: to do something as a reward
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 報酬: remuneration, compensation (more formal, for work)
- 賞: prize, award (for competitions or achievements)
- ご褒美 has a warm, personal tone and is often used for treats.