Japanese word

馴染む

Pronunciation

Romajinajimu

Meaning

  • verbget used to

Example

新しい職場にすぐ馴染みました。atara shi i shoku ba ni su gu na ji mi ma shi ta

I quickly got used to my new workplace.

Illustration for 馴染む (get used to)

More examples

転校生はクラスの雰囲気にすぐ馴染みました。ten kō sei wa ku ra su no fun i ki ni su gu na ji mi ma shi ta

The transfer student quickly fit in with the class.

Core concept

Conveys familiarity taking root so that someone or something blends comfortably with its surroundings.

Common phrases

  • 環境に馴染むkan kyō ni na ji mu

    get used to an environment

  • 職場に馴染むshoku ba ni na ji mu

    fit into a workplace

Similar words

慣れるnareru: Describes adjusting to a new situation, place, or group through experience.
溶け込むtokekomu: Describes blending into a group or environment without seeming out of place.
打ち解けるuchitokeru: Describes losing initial reserve and becoming comfortable with other people.

Definition in Japanese

人や環境に慣れて親しみを持ち、自然に溶け込むようになる。hito ya kan kyō ni na re te shita shi mi o mo chi shi zen ni to ke ko mu yō ni na ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 馴染む (najimu) is formed from 馴れる (nareru, "become accustomed") and 染む (shimu, "soak in"), expressing a person or thing settling naturally into its surroundings.

Usage tips

  • This verb describes becoming comfortable in a new setting, so it commonly appears when people talk about settling into a workplace, school, group, or neighborhood.

Other meanings

  • fit inverb
  • grow attached toverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 馴染みnajimifamiliaritynoun

Word lists with this word