添(そ)え物(もの)

そえもの
noun
garnish; accompaniment; mere extra
foodevaluation
1. garnish; accompaniment; something added on
Something placed alongside a main item to go with it or set it off, such as a garnish or side vegetables on a plate, or a small extra included with a purchase.
パセリは添(そ)え物(もの)だ。
The parsley is just a garnish.
ステーキの添(そ)え物(もの)に温野菜(おんやさい)を用意(ようい)した。
I prepared steamed vegetables to go with the steak.
皿(さら)の端(はし)の添(そ)え物(もの)まで残(のこ)さず食(た)べた。
I ate everything on the plate, even the garnish at the edge.
2. mere extra; something secondary
A person or thing that is only an add-on to what really matters, with no importance of its own. Often said with a note of complaint or self-deprecation.
私(わたし)はただの添(そ)え物(もの)だ。
I'm just an extra.
この映画(えいが)では恋愛(れんあい)の話(はなし)は添(そ)え物(もの)にすぎない。
In this film, the love story is merely an afterthought.
会議(かいぎ)に呼(よ)ばれたが、結局(けっきょく)部長(ぶちょう)の添(そ)え物(もの)で一言(ひとこと)も話(はな)さなかった。
I was called to the meeting, but in the end I was only there as the manager's tag-along and never said a word.

From 添(そ)える (to add, to attach) + 物(もの) (thing).

Common collocations

  • 〜の添(そ)え物(もの): an accompaniment to ~
  • ただの添(そ)え物(もの): a mere add-on
  • 添(そ)え物(もの)にすぎない: to be nothing more than an extra

Similar words

  • 付(つ)け合(あ)わせ: side vegetables served with a main dish — the specific cooking term for sense 1
  • おまけ: a free extra with a purchase; also "bonus" in a lighter tone than sense 2

Related Words

Compare: 付(つ)け合(あ)わせ (side vegetables served with a main dish)
Compare: おまけ (a free extra with a purchase)
general
Added 2026.9.24 21:22 · Revised 2026.9.24 21:24
31000/31037_soemono