Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
cake
/keɪk/
The primary image is one of celebration and indulgence. In its most common usage, it carries a positive, festive connotation associated with milestones like birthdays or weddings. Beyond desserts, the word evokes a specific physical form: a compressed, solid, and often circular mass. This applies to non-edible items like soap, where the focus is on the density and shape rather than sweetness. In metaphorical contexts, it shifts toward the idea of a divisible resource (the 'piece of the cake') or social manipulation. When used to describe sycophancy, it takes on a negative, slippery connotation, suggesting something overly sweet intended to deceive or flatter.
Countable when referring to a whole, individual dessert ('I baked three cakes for the party') or a solid block of soap. Uncountable when referring to cake as a substance or food item on a plate ('Would you like some cake?').
意味
コロケーション・複合語
birthday cake
A cake specifically made or decorated for a birthday celebration.
We sang 'Happy Birthday' around the cake.
wedding cake
A ceremonial cake served at wedding receptions.
The bride and groom cut the wedding cake together.
chocolate cake
A cake flavored with chocolate.
She ordered a rich chocolate cake for dessert.
sponge cake
A light, airy cake made with eggs, flour, and sugar.
The afternoon tea included a delicate sponge cake.
fruit cake
A cake made with dried or candied fruit, nuts, and spices.
My aunt always makes a traditional fruit cake at Christmas.
イディオム・ことわざ
a piece of cake
Something very easy to do.
Don't worry about the test; it'll be a piece of cake.
have your cake and eat it too
To have or enjoy two desirable but incompatible things at the same time.
You can't expect to save money and spend lavishly; you can't have your cake and eat it too.
frosting on the cake
An attractive or desirable addition or feature, especially one that is unnecessary.
Getting a bonus was nice, but the promotion was the real frosting on the cake.
sell like hot cakes
To sell very quickly and in large quantities.
The new video game is selling like hot cakes.
語源
The word 'cake' entered Middle English around the 13th century. Its origin is believed to be from Old Norse 'kaka', which itself likely derived from a Proto-Germanic root. The original meaning referred to a flat, round, baked item, often made from a coarse meal or flour. This aligns with early baking practices where dough was often cooked on a griddle or a flat stone. The evolution of the word has seen it broaden to encompass a wide variety of sweet baked goods, moving from simple, unleavened breads to the complex, decorated confections we know today. The transition from a basic 'flat bread' concept to a 'sweet dessert' highlights changes in culinary techniques, ingredient availability (like sugar and refined flour), and cultural practices surrounding celebrations and desserts.