甘える

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 甘える（あまえる） means relying on someone's affection or goodwill.
• Basic usage: It covers a sleepy child seeking parental attention as well as a person's reliance on the kindness of others.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Relying on a person or on kindness
  • 母に甘える describes leaning on one's mother, while 親切に甘える describes relying on kindness offered. What comes before に can be a person or the goodwill itself.
• Evaluation depends on context
  • A child's desire for attention and continued dependence on others need not carry the same evaluation. In the second example, 甘えてはいられない expresses recognition that such dependence cannot continue.