Japanese word

知人

Pronunciation

Romajichijin

Meaning

  • nounacquaintance

Example

駅で知人に会いました。eki de chi jin ni a i ma shi ta

I met an acquaintance at the station.

Illustration for 知人 (acquaintance)

More examples

近所の知人から、旅行の話を聞きました。kin jo no chi jin ka ra ryo kō no hanashi o ki ki ma shi ta

I heard about the trip from an acquaintance in my neighborhood.

Core concept

It describes a person known through some contact without implying a close friendship.

Common phrases

  • 知人に会うchi jin ni a u

    meet an acquaintance

  • 知人に電話するchi jin ni den wa su ru

    call an acquaintance

  • 知人と話すchi jin to hana su

    talk with an acquaintance

Similar words

知り合いshiriai: A person known through some contact but not considered a close friend.
顔見知りkaomishiri: A person recognized through seeing or meeting them, with little personal connection.
友人yūjin: A person with whom one has a close and friendly relationship.

Definition in Japanese

面識はあるが、親しい間柄ではない人。men shiki wa a ru ga shita shi i aida gara de wa na i hito

Word origin

知人 (chijin) combines 知 (chi, "know") and 人 (jin, "person"), forming the sense of a person who is known.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, acquaintance usually describes someone known socially but not well, while friend suggests a closer relationship.

Word lists with this word