1.
dependence on others' indulgence; presuming on goodwill
The expectation or desire that others will be tolerant, forgiving, or accommodating. A key cultural concept describing the psychology of relying on another's benevolence, famously analyzed in Doi Takeo's 'The Anatomy of Dependence.'
子どもの甘えを受け止める。
To accept a child's need for dependence.
親への甘えが抜けていない。
He still hasn't outgrown his dependence on his parents.
日本の人間関係には甘えの構造があると言われている。
It is said that Japanese interpersonal relationships have a structure of mutual dependence.
2.
spoiled behavior; self-indulgence; lack of self-discipline
Acting in a way that takes advantage of lenient conditions or avoids facing difficulties. Often used critically to describe someone who is not taking responsibility.
それは甘えだ。
That's just being soft on yourself.
甘えを捨てて自立しなさい。
Stop relying on others and become independent.
社会人になったのだから、もう甘えは許されない。
Now that you're a working adult, self-indulgence is no longer acceptable.
Noun form of the verb 甘える (to behave in a spoiled way; to depend on someone's kindness). A culturally significant concept in Japanese psychology, explored in 土居健郎's 1971 book 『甘えの構造』 (The Anatomy of Dependence). The concept has no direct English equivalent.
Sense 1 is neutral or positive — the natural human desire for closeness and acceptance, especially in parent-child or intimate relationships. Sense 2 is negative — a failure to stand on one's own.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 甘えが出る: one's dependence shows through
- 甘えを許す: to allow/indulge someone's dependence
- 甘えを捨てる: to abandon self-indulgence
- 甘えの構造: the structure of dependence (book title)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- わがまま: selfishness — focuses on imposing one's will on others, whereas 甘え is about expecting indulgence
- 依存: dependence — clinical/neutral term for relying on something, without the psychological nuance of 甘え
- 甘やかす: to spoil/pamper — describes the action of the person who indulges another's 甘え