Japanese word

親しい

Pronunciation

Romajishitashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveclose

Example

私はその先生と親しいです。watashi wa so no sen sei to shita shi i de su

I am close to that teacher.

Illustration for 親しい (close)

More examples

親しい友達に絵を見せます。shita shi i tomo dachi ni e o mi se ma su

I show my picture to a close friend.

彼女は初対面の人にも親しく話しかけます。kano jo wa hatsu tai men no hito ni mo shita shi ku hana shi ka ke ma su

She talks to strangers in a friendly way.

Core concept

Expresses the warmth and ease of a bond that goes beyond simply knowing someone.

Common phrases

  • 親しく話すshita shi ku hana su

    talk in a friendly way

  • 親しくするshita shi ku su ru

    be friendly

Similar words

近しいchikashii: Describes a close relationship or connection with someone.
睦まじいmutsumajii: Describes a warm and harmonious relationship between people.
馴れ馴れしいnarenareshii: Describes behavior that is overly familiar with someone and ignores normal social distance.

Definition in Japanese

人との間に親密さがあり、気軽に接することができるさま。hito to no aida ni shin mitsu sa ga a ri ki garu ni ses su ru ko to ga de ki ru sa ma

Word origin

The native adjective 親しい (shitashii, "close") is related to 親しむ (shitashimu, "to become close or familiar"), and its final い (i, "adjective ending") marks the adjective form.

Usage tips

  • English close can describe physical distance as well as relationships, but 親しい (shitashii) describes closeness between people or groups.

Other meanings

  • friendlyi-adjective
  • familiari-adjective

Opposites

  • よそよそしいyosoyososhiidistanti-adjective

Related words

Word lists with this word