おままごと
おままごと
noun
playing house (children's game)
1.
playing house (children's game)
A classic children's pretend game in which kids imitate family life by cooking, serving meals, and acting out household roles.
おままごとをする。
To play house.
子供たちがおままごとで遊んでいる。
The children are playing house.
娘はおままごとセットを誕生日に欲しがっている。
My daughter wants a play kitchen set for her birthday.
2.
something amateurish or not serious; child's play
Used figuratively to belittle an effort as unserious.
おままごとじゃないんだ。
This isn't child's play.
あんな経営はおままごとだ。
That kind of management is amateurish.
おままごとみたいな料理だと笑われた。
I was laughed at for making food that looked like a child's pretend cooking.
A classic children's game where kids pretend to cook, serve meals, and imitate family life. The word comes from まま (cooked rice/food) with the honorific prefix お and ごと (an activity involving pretend or imitation). Traditionally associated with young girls, but played by children of all genders.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- おままごとをする: to play house
- おままごとセット: play kitchen set
- おままごと道具: play house toys
FIGURATIVE USAGE:
When used about adults or serious activities, おままごと implies that the effort is childish, amateurish, or not to be taken seriously. It can be quite dismissive.
CULTURAL NOTE:
おままごと is one of the most recognized traditional children's games in Japan, alongside かくれんぼ (hide and seek) and おにごっこ (tag).