Translation and Meaning of: 飴 - ame

If you have ever seen a hard and shiny Japanese candy, you have probably come across the word 飴 (あめ). But do you know where it came from, how it is used in daily life, or even how to memorize this kanji? In this article, we will thoroughly explore the etymology, meaning, and origin of this word, as well as practical tips for remembering it. Here at Suki Nihongo, you can also find examples of ready-made sentences to study in Anki or any other spaced repetition software.

Who has never been curious about why a simple candy has such a complex kanji? Or how this word fits into popular expressions? The truth is that 飴 is more than just a sweet — it carries history, culture, and even some linguistic tricks that can make your learning easier. Let's uncover all of this!

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 飴

The kanji 飴 is composed of two radicals: 食 (しょく), which means "food", and 台 (だい), which in this case has no direct connection to the current meaning, but historically represented an ancient pronunciation associated with "melt" or "soften". Together, they convey the idea of something edible that has a pliable texture — perfect for describing a hard candy that melts in the mouth.

Interestingly, the pronunciation あめ (ame) already existed in ancient Japanese even before Chinese writing was adopted. When kanji arrived in Japan, this term was "fitted" into the character 飴, which was already used in China for similar sweets. A testament to how language and culture are always intertwined!

Use in Daily Life and Popular Expressions

In Japan, 飴 is not limited to traditional lollipops. It appears in expressions like 飴と鞭 (あめとむち), which means "reward and punishment" — literally, "sweet and whip". Have you thought about how this phrase summarizes the duality of incentives in work or even in education? Another common use is in 飴細工 (あめざいく), the delicate hand-molded candies that are true works of art.

And we can't forget about informal situations. If a Japanese person says "飴をしゃぶる" (ame wo shaburu), they are literally "sucking on a candy," but the expression can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is taking too long to make a decision. Who hasn't been "sucking on sugarcane" before choosing something, right?

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

An infallible way to remember the kanji 飴 is to associate it with its texture: the radical 食 reminds us that it's food, while the bottom part looks like a sweet dripping on a stick. Another tip is to think of the classic scene of a vendor selling あめ at street festivals — the sound of the bell, the sweet smell in the air, and that feeling of childhood.

Did you know there is even a pun with this word? In some dialects, 雨 (あめ), which means "rain", and 飴 (あめ) are homophones. It is said that in the past, children would play: "If it rains, I get ame (candy), if it doesn’t rain, I get ame (rain)!" A wordplay that shows how Japanese can be fun — and sometimes tricky for learners.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 飴玉 (ametama) - Candy or sweet (traditional or homemade form)
• キャンディー (kyandī) - Sweets or candies in general (Western imported)
• あめ (ame) - Candy, specifically a type of sweet or caramel.
• キャンデー (kyandē) - Slang or reference to sweets of Western origin

飴

Romaji: ame
Kana: あめ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: Sweet (hard)

Meaning in English: (hard) candy

Definition: Sweet food.

Example Sentences - (飴) ame

See below some example sentences:

飴を食べると幸せな気分になる。

Ame wo taberu to shiawase na kibun ni naru

Eating sweets makes you feel happy.

• 飴 - Japanese sweet in the shape of a ball or cylinder
• を - object particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• と - Comparison particle
• 幸せ - adjective "happy"
• な - suffix that transforms the adjective into a predicate
• 気分 - noun "feeling"
• に - target particle
• なる - verb "become"