Japanese word

親しみ

Pronunciation

Romajishitashimi

Meaning

  • nounfamiliarity

Example

この町には親しみを感じます。ko no machi ni wa shita shi mi o kan ji ma su

I feel a sense of familiarity with this town.

Illustration for 親しみ (familiarity)

More examples

長く交流するうちに、互いへの親しみが深まりました。naga ku kō ryū su ru u chi ni taga i e no shita shi mi ga fuka ma ri ma shi ta

As we spent more time together, our closeness grew.

Core concept

親しみ (shitashimi) describes the warm sense of closeness that grows when someone or something feels familiar and approachable.

Common phrases

  • 親しみを感じるshita shi mi o kan ji ru

    feel a sense of familiarity

  • 親しみを覚えるshita shi mi o obo e ru

    feel a sense of familiarity

  • 親しみを抱くshita shi mi o ida ku

    feel affection

Similar words

親近感shinkinkan: A sense of closeness or affinity toward someone or something.
親しさshitashisa: The degree to which a person or thing feels familiar and close.
馴染みnajimi: A sense of familiarity built through repeated contact or experience.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事を身近に感じ、好意をもって接する気持ち。hito ya mono goto o mi jika ni kan ji kō i o mo tte ses su ru ki mo chi

Word origin

親しみ (shitashimi) comes from the native Japanese verb 親しむ (shitashimu, "to feel close to or become familiar with"), with the verb stem used as a noun.

Usage tips

  • A town, a public figure, or a brand can be described as having 親しみ (shitashimi) when familiarity makes it seem friendly rather than distant.

Other meanings

  • affectionnoun
  • closenessnoun

Opposites

  • よそよそしさyosoyososhisaaloofnessnoun
  • 疎遠soenestrangementnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word