amae

A1M3A1E1

noun

Childlike behaviour aimed at inducing another (such as a parent, spouse, teacher or boss) to take care of one.

OriginJapanese あまえ →
Scrabble 6
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Meanings

nounamae (uncountable)
  1. uncountableChildlike behaviour aimed at inducing another (such as a parent, spouse, teacher or boss) to take care of one.
  2. uncountableA feeling of entitlement to indulgence and nurture, such as from a loving caregiver.

Origin

  1. Japaneseあまえ
  2. Englishamae

Borrowed from Japanese あまえ.

More words from Japanese

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

amae. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amae

MLA

“amae.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amae. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “amae,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amae.

Source: amae on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.