The Meaning of tsukiai [付き合い] In Japanese

付き合い
つきあい
Romaji: tsukiai N4

What does 付き合い mean?

Translation and Meaning

association, relationship, social involvement, companionship, dating

Definition

付き合い means the act or state of forming a relationship or taking part in social interactions; it encompasses social obligations within groups, companionship, and the broader sense of dating or going out with someone.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Social bonds and obligations within communities, clubs, or workplaces; being sociable and maintaining ties.
  • An acquaintance or the broader network of people one is connected to; a circle of associations.
  • The act of dating or going out with someone in casual to semi-formal contexts; the relationship aspect between two people.

Etymology

付く (to attach, accompany) and 合う (to match, join); the form 付き derives from these, and 合い adds the nuance of reciprocal action, together forming the meaning of forming a connection or association.

Composition

  • 付く: to attach, to be attached, to accompany
  • 合い: noun-forming suffix from 合う meaning mutual or reciprocal action

Usage

Used as a noun to denote social life, relationships, and the act of going along with others. In formal writing it can refer to ongoing relationships and ongoing social interactions; in casual speech it more often refers to everyday sociability and the social circle.
💡 Tips
Attach and match: imagine a tag (付き) attached to you that you then match with others in social settings, reinforcing the idea of being connected and going along with people.

Variations

  • 交際, kousai — dating or romantic relationship
  • 関係, kankei — relation or connection
  • 付き添い, tsukisoi — accompaniment
  • 付き合う, tsukiau — to date or to go along with

Example Phrases

  • 私は 付き合いを 大切に したい が 今 忙しい。
    Watashi wa tsukiai o taisetsu ni shitai ga ima isogashii.
    I want to treasure my social ties, but I’m busy now.
    Lista:
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 付き合いを (tsukiai o) – social ties
    • 大切に (taisetsu ni) – treasure
    • したい (shitai) – want to
    • が (ga) – but
    • 今 (ima) – now
    • 忙しい (isogashii) – busy
    Uses the noun 「付き合い」 meaning social ties; the を marks the object of 大切にする (to treasure/value).
付き合い