Meaning

Primary

As Much As You Want

Alternative

All You Can

Word Type

suffix

Explanation

Just release the topic... let it go free! Let it do whatever it wants. Sometimes the topic will be food... if that's the case, just release yourself and do whatever you want with the food (eat it all!). If it's drinks, drink it all! This word has to do with doing whatever you want and as much as you want. You'll see this attached to "all you can ____" words, so look out for them in the next couple levels.

Reading

ほうだい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 食べ放題

    all-you-can-eat

    歌い放題

    all-you-can-sing (karaoke)

    飲み放題

    all-you-can-drink

Context Sentences

食べ放題に行くといつも食べすぎてしまいます。

Every time I go to an all-you-can-eat restaurant, I end up eating too much.

カラオケに行くなら、朝まで歌い放題のプランにしようよ。

If we go to karaoke, why don't we choose the plan where we can sing as much as we want until the morning?

ワニカニをサブスクライブすれば、漢字の勉強がし放題ですよ。

If you subscribe to Wanikani, you can study kanji as much as you want.

Kanji Composition