Japanese word

ふれあい

Pronunciation

Romajifureai

Meaning

  • nouninteraction

Example

地域の人とのふれあいを大切にします。chi iki no hito to no fu re a i o tai setsu ni shi ma su

I value interaction with people in the community.

Illustration for ふれあい (interaction)

More examples

世代を超えたふれあいが、地域のつながりを深めます。se dai o ko e ta fu re a i ga chi iki no tsu na ga ri o fuka me ma su

Interaction across generations strengthens community ties.

Core concept

Describes close contact in which people or animals share experiences and build a sense of connection.

Common phrases

  • ふれあいを大切にするfu re a i o tai setsu ni su ru

    value interaction

  • 親子のふれあいoya ko no fu re a i

    parent-child interaction

  • 地域とのふれあいchi iki to no fu re a i

    interaction with the local community

  • ふれあいの場fu re a i no ba

    place for interaction

Similar words

交流kōryū: Interaction involving mutual exchange among people or groups.
接触sesshoku: Physical or social contact between people, animals, or things.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物などが直接接して親しみや理解を深めること。hito ya dō butsu na do ga choku setsu ses shi te shita shi mi ya ri kai o fuka me ru ko to

Word origin

As a native Japanese formation, the noun ふれあい (fureai) comes from 触れ合う (fureau, "to touch or interact with each other"), combining 触れる (fureru, "to touch") with 合う (au, "to do mutually").

Usage tips

  • The phrase ふれあい動物園 (fureai dōbutsuen) labels a petting zoo, showing that the term includes friendly hands-on contact with animals, not only conversation.

Other meanings

  • contactnoun
  • rapportnoun

Word lists with this word