1.
spoiled child; clingy person; one who craves affection
A person, especially a child, who seeks excessive attention, coddling, or physical affection. Also used for pets or adults who behave in a dependent, needy way.
うちの猫は甘えん坊だ。
Our cat is a real cuddler.
末っ子は甘えん坊になりやすい。
The youngest child tends to be spoiled.
普段はしっかりしているのに、彼女の前では甘えん坊になる。
He's usually dependable, but he becomes clingy in front of his girlfriend.
Derived from 甘える (to act spoiled, to be clingy) + ん坊 (a suffix for people with certain traits, like 怒りん坊 and 泣き虫). Can be endearing or mildly critical depending on context. Often used affectionately when talking about children or pets.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 甘えん坊な性格: clingy personality
- 甘えん坊な猫: affectionate cat
- 甘えん坊になる: to become clingy/spoiled
RELATED TERMS:
- 甘える: to act spoiled; to seek affection (the verb this derives from)
- 甘やかす: to spoil; to coddle
- わがまま: selfish; willful — more negative than 甘えん坊