近づく・近付く|ちかづくchikazuku[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
ちかずくchikazuku
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Which spelling to use
近づく近づく is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is the form to use when writing this word.
近付く近付く is a less common written variant of 近づく. It appears as an alternative spelling, but beginners should normally use 近づく instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto approach; to draw near; to get close
- godan verb, intransitive verbto get acquainted with; to get closer to; to get to know
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 近づく（ちかづく） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 近づきます（ちかづきます） |
| Negative (nai) | 近づかない（ちかづかない） |
| polite (masen) | 近づきません（ちかづきません） |
| classical zu / nu | 近づかず・近づかぬ（ちかづかず・ちかづかぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 近づいた（ちかづいた） |
| polite (mashita) | 近づきました（ちかづきました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 近づかなかった（ちかづかなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 近づきませんでした（ちかづきませんでした） |
| Te form | 近づいて（ちかづいて） |
| Potential | 近づける（ちかづける） |
| Passive | 近づかれる（ちかづかれる） |
| Causative | 近づかせる（ちかづかせる） |
| Causative passive | 近づかせられる・近づかされる（ちかづかせられる・ちかづかされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 近づけば（ちかづけば） |
| tara | 近づいたら（ちかづいたら） |
| Volitional | 近づこう（ちかづこう） |
| polite (mashou) | 近づきましょう（ちかづきましょう） |
| Imperative | 近づけ（ちかづけ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
敵が近づく
敵を近づける
近づく describes a person or thing moving closer by itself (as in 敵が近づく 'the enemy approaches'), while 近づける means to bring someone or something closer or to allow it to come near (as in 敵を近づける 'let the enemy approach').
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym近寄るちかよるNeutralPeople, animals or vehicles moving up close to you; also getting friendly with someone. Unlike 「近づく」, it is not used for a time or date drawing near.
- Synonym迫るせまるNeutralSuggests closing in or bearing down with a sense of pressure, as in 「締め切りが迫る」. Stronger and more pressing than 「近づく」.
- Synonym接近せっきんWrittenA noun for approaching or closing in, as in 「台風接近」. Belongs to written, news-style prose rather than everyday speech.
- Synonym寄るよるNeutralTo move up close, but also to stop by on the way, as in 「帰りに寄る」. Broader in everyday use than 「近づく」.
- Synonym詰め寄るつめよるNeutralTo close in on someone while pressing them for answers, as in 「店員に詰め寄る」; carries an interrogating tone.
- Related寄せるよせるNeutralTransitive: to bring something closer or send something in, as in 「車を寄せる」. 「近づく」 is intransitive.
- Antonym離れるはなれるNeutralTo leave or separate from something; the opposite of the approaching 「近づく」.
- Antonym遠のくとおのくNeutralTo gradually move away or drift apart, as in 「足が遠のく」. The direct opposite of 「近づく」.
Use 「近づく」 for getting closer in space, time or relationship, as in 「春が近づく」. For moving up close to someone use 「近寄る」, for pressing in 「迫る」, and in news-style writing 「接近」. For moving away use 「遠のく」 or 「離れる」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
