The Meaning of shiriai [知り合い] In Japanese

知り合い
しりあい
Romaji: shiriai N4

What does 知り合い mean?

Translation and Meaning

acquaintance, known person

Definition

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.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

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

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

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize 知 as a person’s brain knowing someone; connect with り as a bridge; and 合い as two people coming together, forming a mutual relationship that becomes 知り合い.

Variations

  • 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

Example Phrases

  • 知り合い の 店で 偶然 会い、 コーヒー を 一杯 奢って もらった。
    shiriai no mise de guuzen ai, koohii wo ippai ogotte moratta.
    I ran into an acquaintance at their shop and was treated to a cup of coffee.
    Lista:
    • 知り合い (shiriai) – acquaintance
    • の (no) – of
    • 店で (mise de) – at the shop
    • 偶然 (guuzen) – by chance
    • 会い、 (ai,) – meet,
    • コーヒー (koohii) – coffee
    • を (wo) – (object marker)
    • 一杯 (ippai) – a cup
    • 奢って (ogotte) – treated
    • もらった (moratta) – received
    Brief: 「知り合い」 means an acquaintance; 「知り合いの店で」 shows possession and location; 「奢ってもらった」 expresses being treated by someone.
知り合い