How to say "intimate" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 密接みっせつna-adjective, nounCovers 'intimate' in the sense of a close relationship or connection; it describes how tightly linked people, groups, or things are, as in an intimate connection between two events, rather than personal fondness.
- godan verb, transitive verbThis is the verb sense: 'to intimate' something is to hint at it or suggest it indirectly without stating it plainly, e.g. intimating that you might resign. It is usually written in kana.
- 親しいしたしいi-adjectiveCovers 'intimate' of people: an intimate friend, a close and friendly relationship. This is the word you want when 'intimate' means personal closeness between people who know each other well.
- 濃密のうみつna-adjectiveReally means dense, thick, or rich (flavour, colour) and deep; 'intimate' appears only in the extended sense of rich, deep time spent together, so it is seldom the word you want for people or relationships.
Use 「親しい」 for intimate people and close personal relationships, 密接 for an intimate connection or link between things, 「ほのめかす」 only for the verb 'to intimate' in the sense of hinting, and 濃密 rarely, for rich, deep time together.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 密接みっせつclose (relationship, connection, etc.)
- ほのめかすto hint at
- 親しいしたしいclose (e.g. friend)
- 濃密のうみつdense
- 近しいちかしいintimate
- 心安いこころやすいintimate
- インティメイトintimate
- 仲睦まじいなかむつまじいharmonious
- 仲がいいなかがいいclose
- 仲の良いなかのよいclose (e.g. in terms of relationship)
- 仲いいなかいいclose
- 口吻を漏らすこうふんをもらすto give vent to (one's feeling)
- 親しげしたしげfriendly
- 言外にほのめかすげんがいにほのめかすto hint at
- 睦まじいむつまじいharmonious (couple, family, etc.)
- 近いちかいclose (relationship)
- 密みつclose (relationship)
- ねんごろintimate
- ちらつかせるto dangle (an offer) in front of
See also
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