Word
知り合い
Meaning in Englishacquaintance
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Word context
What it means
What does 知り合い mean? It denotes a person you know by social connection rather than a close friend, used to refer to someone you have met or are familiar with in everyday life.
Main meanings
- acquaintance; a person you know but not close with
- a known person within your social or professional networks
- a casual, non-intimate reference to someone you have met
How to use it
知り合い refers to a person you know but not necessarily a close friend; it is common in casual speech and expresses a lighter level of familiarity than friend terms. It can be used with の to indicate the person’s relation, and phrases like 知り合いになる describe becoming acquainted; in formal contexts or when a closer relationship is intended, 知人 or 友人 may be preferred.
Variants and close terms
- 知人 (ちじん, chijin) — acquaintance; more neutral or formal
- 友人 (ゆうじん, yūjin) — friend; closer relationship
- 同僚 (どうりょう, dōryō) — coworker; a known person from the workplace
Composition
- 知: to know
- り: continuative form linking to the next element
- 合い: from 合う meaning to meet or come together; when combined, it yields a noun indicating a mutual, recognized relationship
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
知性
chisei
intelligence
N1
知的
chiteki
intellectual
N1
複合
fukugou
composite, complex
N1
待ち合わせ
machiawase
appointment
N1
見合い
miai
formal marriage interview
N1
見合わせる
miawaseru
to exchange glances; to postpone
N1
未知
michi
not yet known
N1
無知
muchi
ignorance
N2
打合せ
uchiawase
business meeting, previous arrangement
Kanji