Entry
ほやほや
hoyahoya
Describes something that is freshly made and piping hot, or someone who has just recently acquired a new status.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ほやほや highlights the state of being brand new in terms of creation or status. It is commonly used for food that is fresh out of the oven or pot, and for people who have just started a new phase in life, such as newlyweds or recent graduates.
- Freshly cooked or baked food
- People newly acquiring a status
Sense Map
Freshly Cooked Food
Something that was just cooked, baked, or made, and is still fresh and hot.
できたてほやほやの料理
New Life Status
Someone who has just acquired a new status, such as being newly married or freshly graduated.
新婚ほやほやの二人
Usage Note
How to Use
ほやほやの + noun
Used to modify a noun, indicating that the item is freshly made or the person has just acquired a new status.
noun + ほやほや
ほやほやだ / ほやほやです
Used at the end of a sentence to state that something is fresh or brand new in status.
How to Use
Common Phrases
できたてほやほや
freshly made
焼きたてほやほや
freshly baked
新婚ほやほや
newlyweds
社会人ほやほや
fresh member of society / recent graduate
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food and cooking | positive | Implies the food is warm, fresh, and appetizing. |
| People and life events | positive | Shows warmth and affection towards someone who just started a new chapter in life. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ほかほか ほかほか / nearby | Use when focusing on the comforting, steaming warmth of food or a body. | It does not mean 'just completed' or 'brand new.' It only describes the temperature. | ほかほかのお弁当 |
ほくほく ほくほく / nearby | Use to describe the soft, flaky, and warm texture of root vegetables or baked goods. | It describes texture, not the time of completion or a person's new life status. | ほくほくのサツマイモ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for fresh raw fruits or vegetables.
Use 新鮮 (shinsen) for fresh produce. ほやほや implies 'just cooked/made' or 'just changed status'.
Using it for a brand new item bought from a store.
Use 新品 (shinpin) for unused consumer goods.
Examples
Examples
焼きたてほやほやのパンはとても美味しいです。
やきたてほやほやのパンはとてもおいしいです。
This freshly baked bread is very delicious.
VisualDescribes the physical state of the bread being hot and fresh.
彼らは新婚ほやほやで、とても幸せそうだ。
かれらはしんこんほやほやで、とてもしあわせそうだ。
They are newlyweds and look very happy.
FigurativeApplied to a social status rather than a physical object.
これはできたてほやほやの資料です。
これはできたてほやほやのしりょうです。
This is a document that has just been finished.
FigurativeUsed for abstract completeness rather than physical heat.
彼女は大学を卒業したばかりの、社会人ほやほやです。
かのじょはだいがくをそつぎょうしたばかりの、しゃかいじんほやほやです。
She just graduated from university and is a brand new member of the workforce.
FigurativeExpresses warmth towards someone newly entering society.
できたてほやほやの料理を冷めないうちに食べましょう。
できたてほやほやのりょうりをさめないうちにたべましょう。
Let's eat this freshly made food before it gets cold.
LiteralFocuses on the physical temperature and freshness.
Similar Words
ほかほか
hokahoka
Describes something pleasantly warm, or freshly cooked food that is steaming hot. Focuses on comforting physical warmth rather than being 'just completed'.
ほくほく
hokuhoku
Describes the texture of freshly cooked, hot, and starchy foods, or the state of beaming with inner satisfaction and joy. Focuses on the soft, warm texture of root vegetables or pastries.
Questions
Can I use 'dekitate hoyahoya' for cold foods like salads or ice cream?
No. The word implies physical warmth, so it is only used for freshly cooked or baked hot foods.
Can I call my brand-new car 'hoyahoya'?
No. For unused consumer goods, use the word 新品 (shinpin).
How long can a couple be considered 'shinkon hoyahoya' (newlyweds)?
While there is no strict rule, it is generally used for the first few months up to half a year of marriage.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011700
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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