知り合い
shiri'ainoun★Intermediate💡 acquaintance
informal
An acquaintance; someone you know but are not close friends with.
知り合いからパーティーに誘われた。
I was invited to a party by an acquaintance.
💡
This term is commonly used to refer to someone you know casually, often through work, school, or social activities.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
While '知り合い' is neutral, you can use '知人' in more formal contexts.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Do not use '知り合い' to refer to someone you are very close with; use '友達' instead.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the verb '知る' (to know) and the nominalizer '合い' (suffix indicating a relationship).
📝Usage Notes
This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is less intimate than '友達' (friend).
Word Breakdown
知る
to know
root合い
relationship
suffix和英辞典