焼きもち

• 読み: やきもち
• ローマ字: yakimochi
• 漢字の分解: 焼 (yaki) — grill, burn
• 発音: /ja.ki.mo.tɕi/

意味

Jealousy; envy. Particularly romantic jealousy expressed in a somewhat endearing way.

A noun referring to jealousy, especially the kind seen in romantic relationships. Lighter and more playful than 嫉妬 (shitto), which sounds heavier and more serious. The key expression is 焼きもちを焼く (to be jealous, literally 'to grill mochi'). Despite literally meaning 'grilled rice cake,' it is almost exclusively used in its jealousy meaning in conversation. Often describes cute or mild jealousy rather than destructive envy.

例文

1. 彼女は彼が他の女性と話すと焼きもちを焼く。
2. 子供が弟にお母さんを取られて焼きもちを焼いている。
3. ちょっと焼きもちを焼いてくれると嬉しいな。

使い方ガイド

場面: romance, family, conversation, teasing

トーン: playful

起源と歴史

Literally 'grilled mochi' (rice cake), from 焼き (yaki, grilled) + もち (mochi, rice cake). A pun on 焼く (to burn/to grill) which also means 'to be jealous' in Japanese. The wordplay connects the burning sensation of jealousy with grilling food.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal