1.
tea cakes; tea sweets; snacks served with tea
Sweets or light snacks that are served alongside tea, especially during the tea ceremony or when entertaining guests. Typically Japanese confections but can include Western-style sweets.
茶菓子を用意した。
I prepared some tea snacks.
お客さまに茶菓子をお出しした。
I served tea snacks to the guests.
抹茶の苦みに合う茶菓子を選ぶのも、茶道の楽しみの一つだ。
Choosing tea sweets that complement the bitterness of matcha is one of the pleasures of the tea ceremony.
USAGE:
In formal tea ceremony (茶道), the choice of 茶菓子 is important and often reflects the season. In everyday use, it refers to any sweet or snack served with tea when hosting visitors.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 茶菓子を出す (to serve tea snacks)
- 茶菓子を用意する (to prepare tea snacks)
- 季節の茶菓子 (seasonal tea sweets)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 和菓子: Japanese confections — broader category that includes all traditional Japanese sweets, not just those served with tea