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
N2
組合せ
kumiawase
combination
N2
合同
goudou
combination, incorporation
N2
合理
gouri
rational
N2
合流
gouryuu
confluence, merge, join
N2
混合
kongou
mixing, mixture
N2
集合
shuugou
gathering, assembly
N2
知人
chijin
friend, acquaintance
N2
釣り合う
tsuriau
to balance, to be in harmony, to suit
N2
問い合わせ
toiawase
inquiry
Kanji