How to Say ‘To cut back on sweets’ in Japanese
甘いものを控える
amai mono o hikaeru
[ah-MAH-ee mono oh hee-kah-EH-roo]
💬 Usage Tip: 控える (hikaeru) means holding back on something, not quitting it entirely. You'll see it in お酒を控える "cut back on alcohol".
Phrase Breakdown
甘いものを
amai mono o
sweet things (as object)
甘いもの means sweets, and を marks the object. Say a-ma-i mo-no-o.
甘いものを食べたい。
I want to eat something sweet.
Words in this phrase
甘い
amai
[ah-MAH-ee]
sweet
Adjective for sugary taste.
甘いお酒が好きです。
I like sweet drinks.
もの
mono
[mono]
thing
Refers to an object or entity.
これはつまらないものですが、どうぞ。
This is a small gift, but please accept it.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
控える
hikaeru
[hee-kah-EH-roo]
to cut back on; refrain from
Verb meaning to limit or hold back, e.g. for health.
お酒を控えています。
I'm cutting back on alcohol.
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