What does “omake” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “omake” to mean ‘freebie’, ‘bonus’, or ‘extra’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word well because it is often used to refer to an extra volume of Japanese manga or such. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its components. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “omake” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meanings of “omake”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “omake”.
- omake – おまけ : a noun meaning ‘freebie’, ‘bonus’, or ‘extra’ in Japanese. This can also work as a plural noun. Learn more about Japanese plural. Depending on the situation and context, this can refer to ‘discount’ as well.
Interestingly, this noun is well known among Japanese learners as a word to refer to an extra volume of Japanese manga. This usage is very possible, but basically native speakers use this noun to refer to a freebie in Japanese. In addition, when they talk about the price of something, this noun can also refer to a discount.
The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its grammatical components in detail, one by one.
Components of “omake”
“Omake” consists of the following two components:
- o – お : a prefix used to make its following word polite.
- make – まけ : a noun meaning ‘defeat’, ‘loss’, or such.
From these two components, we can understand that “omake” is literally the polite expression for a defeat in Japanese. This literal interpretation doesn’t seem to be in line with the meanings, but is still understandable. Giving freebies to customers can be considered as a defeat for a shop manager. This interpretation works well also for a discount.
When we meet new words, we should check their grammatical components in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, components tell us a lot about meanings of words they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “omake” through the detailed check above.
Then, let me explain how to use “omake” through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to say “freebie” in Japanese
kono kappu wa omake desu – このカップはおまけです (このかっぷはおまけです)
This cup is a freebie.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kono – この : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “kappu” to say “this cup” in Japanese.
- kappu – カップ (かっぷ) : a noun meaning ‘cup’ in Japanese. This can also work as a plural noun.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “kono kappu” to make the subject in the sentence.
- desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “omake” to make it sound polite.
This is a typical usage of “omake”. When we want to say “freebie” in Japanese, this noun is a very good option.
Example #2: another usage of “omake”
omake de tamago ga yasuku nat ta – おまけで卵が安くなった (おまけでたまごがやすくなった)
The eggs were discounted.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- de – で : a case particle used to indicate a cause or reason. In the example, this is used after “omake” to indicate the reason for the discount.
- tamago – 卵 (たまご) : a noun meaning ‘egg’ in Japanese. This can also work as a plural noun.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “tamago” to make the subject word in the sentence.
- yasuku – 安く (やすく) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, “yasui“, which means ‘cheap’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection of its following word.
- nat – なっ : one conjugation of the verb, “naru”, which means ‘to become’, ‘to get’, ‘to turn’, or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after “nat” to make its past tense form, “nat ta”.
This is another typical usage of “omake”. In this example, it works to describe the reason of the discount. The literal interpretation of the Japanese sentence is more like ‘the eggs became cheap due to a bonus’. It has been translated as just ‘the eggs were discounted’, though.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “omake” and its grammatical components in detail. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- omake – おまけ : a noun meaning ‘freebie’, ‘bonus’, or ‘extra’ in Japanese. This can also work as a plural noun. Depending on the situation and context, this can refer to ‘discount’ as well. This noun consists the two parts: “o” and “make”. The first one is a prefix working to make its following word polite; the second means ‘defeat’. So, this noun is literally the polite expression for a defeat in Japanese. Giving freebies to customers can be considered as a defeat for a shop manager.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
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