Japanese word

親密

Pronunciation

Romajishinmitsu

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveclose

Example

二人はとても親密です。futa ri wa to te mo shin mitsu de su

The two are very close.

Illustration for 親密 (close)

More examples

彼らは仕事を通じて親密な関係になりました。kare ra wa shi goto o tsū ji te shin mitsu na kan kei ni na ri ma shi ta

They became close through their work.

Core concept

Expresses a close relationship marked by trust and a deep personal connection.

Common phrases

  • 親密な関係shin mitsu na kan kei

    close relationship

  • 親密な友人shin mitsu na yū jin

    close friend

  • 親密になるshin mitsu ni na ru

    become close

Similar words

親しいshitashii: Describes a friendly, familiar relationship between people who know each other well.
密接missetsu: Describes a relationship in which people or groups are closely connected.
身近mijika: Describes a person, place, or thing that feels familiar and close to daily life.

Definition in Japanese

互いの間に深い結びつきがあり、親しい関係にあるさま。taga i no aida ni fuka i musu bi tsu ki ga a ri shita shi i kan kei ni a ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 親密 (shinmitsu, "close and dense") combines 親 (shin, "close") and 密 (mitsu, "dense"), expressing a relationship with little distance.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear intimate as mainly romantic, but Japanese uses 親密 (shinmitsu) for strong nonromantic relationships as well.

Other meanings

  • intimatena-adjective

Opposites

  • 疎遠soendistantna-adjective

Related words

  • 親密性shinmitsuseiintimacynoun
  • 親密感shinmitsukansense of closenessnoun

Word lists with this word