ケーキ

• Reading: ケーキ
• Romaji: keeki
• Pronunciation: /keː.ki/

Meaning

Cake. Western-style cakes and pastries.

Borrowed from English 'cake.' Japan has a highly refined cake culture, with patisseries rivalling those in France. The most iconic is the Christmas cake (クリスマスケーキ), a strawberry shortcake traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. Birthday cakes (バースデーケーキ) are also very common.

Examples

1. 誕生日にケーキを食べます。 We eat cake on birthdays.
2. このケーキはとてもおいしいです。 This cake is really delicious.
3. ケーキ屋さんで苺のケーキを買いました。 I bought a strawberry cake at the bakery.

Usage Guide

Context: celebrations, cafes, dessert

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'cake.' Western-style baking was introduced during the Meiji era. Japanese pastry chefs developed their own lighter, less sweet style that has become world-renowned.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal