Japanese Relationship Phrases

Friends and colleagues

From classmates to coworkers to the friend you'd call at 3 a.m. — Japanese gives each relationship its own word.

1. 1 ともだち tomodachi — Friend
2. 2 しんゆう shinyuu — Best friend
3. 3 クラスメート kurasumeeto — Classmate
4. 4 どうりょう douryou — Coworker

Dating words

Who's who in a Japanese love story. These are the words you'll hear in every drama — and need for every catch-up with friends.

1. 5 かれし kareshi — Boyfriend
2. 6 かのじょ kanojo — Girlfriend
3. 7 パートナー paatonaa — Partner

   Gender-neutral — used for life partners and business partners alike.

4. 8 こんやくしゃ konyakusha — Fiancé or fiancée
5. 9 かれしができた kareshi ga dekita — I got a boyfriend

Single or taken

Relationship status, stated the Japanese way: as an ongoing state rather than a label.

1. 10 どくしん dokushin — Single
2. 11 けっこんしている kekkon shite iru — To be married
3. 12 こんやくしている konyaku shite iru — To be engaged

Sweet nothings

Japanese saves its biggest words for the smallest moments. Here is the whole romantic register, from confession to longing.

1. 13 すきです suki desu — I like you (a confession)
2. 14 あいしてる aishiteru — I love you (deep and intense)
3. 15 いなくてさみしい inakute samishii — I'm lonely without you

In real life: telling your best friend the news