Translation and Meaning of: 彼 - kare

The Japanese word 彼[かれ] is an essential term for anyone learning the language, especially for those who wish to communicate naturally in everyday life. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in different contexts. Additionally, we will look at tips for memorizing this word and some curiosities that may help in learning. If you are looking to understand more about Japanese, Suki Nihongo is the best dictionary to deepen your knowledge.

Meaning and use of 彼[かれ]

彼[かれ] is a personal pronoun that means "he." It is used to refer to a specific man, usually in informal or everyday situations. Unlike other more formal terms, 彼 carries a more direct and casual tone, being common in conversations between friends or family.

It is worth noting that, in some contexts, 彼 can also be used to refer to a boyfriend, especially when the relationship is already established. For example, if someone says "彼と映画を見に行った" (I went to the movies with him), they may be referring to their boyfriend, depending on the context of the conversation.

Origin and writing of the kanji 彼

The kanji 彼 is composed of the radical 彳 (which indicates movement or path) and 皮 (which means "skin" or "surface"). This combination suggests the idea of "something or someone that is beyond," which makes sense since the term refers to a third person distant from the speaker. This origin helps to understand why 彼 is used to indicate "he" in Japanese.

It is interesting to note that, although the kanji has this composition, its current use is not directly linked to the literal meaning of the radicals. Over time, the word has established itself as a personal pronoun, losing some of its connection to its original etymology.

Tips for memorizing and using 彼 correctly

An effective way to memorize 彼 is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, when watching a Japanese drama, pay attention when characters use this word to refer to a man. Repeating phrases like "彼は先生です" (He is a teacher) also helps to cement the term in memory.

Another tip is to avoid confusing 彼 with other pronouns, such as あの人 (that person) or 彼女 (she/girlfriend). While 彼 is more direct and informal, あの人 has a more neutral tone and can be used for both genders. Understanding these differences is essential for speaking Japanese naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 彼氏 (Kareshi) - Boyfriend
• 彼女 (Kareshi) - Girlfriend
• 彼方 (Kanata) - Far, beyond
• 彼方此方 (Kanata ko kata) - From one side to the other, everywhere
• 彼方此世 (Kanata konose) - This world and the beyond
• 彼方彼岸 (Kanata higashi) - The other side, beyond the horizon
• 彼方彼界 (Kanata hikai) - Another world, different from ours
• 彼方向こう (Kanata kohou) - That side
• 彼方向こう側 (Kanata kohou-gawa) - The opposite side

彼

Romaji: kare
Kana: かれ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: he; boyfriend

Meaning in English: he;boyfriend

Definition: Pronouns used for men and men in general.

Example Sentences - (彼) kare

See below some example sentences:

彼は私の仕事を脅かすつもりだ。

Kare wa watashi no shigoto o odokasu tsumori da

He intends to threaten my work.

He intends to threaten my work.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 私 - Japanese pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle that indicates possession
• 仕事 - 日本語の名詞で「仕事」という意味です。
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 脅かす - Japanese verb that means "threaten"
• つもり - Japanese expression that indicates intention
• だ - Japanese verb that means "to be"

彼は紙を折って鳥を作った。

Kare wa kami o otte tori o tsukutta

He made a bird folding paper.

He broke the paper and made birds.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 紙 - Japanese noun that means "paper"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 折って - Japanese verb "oru" conjugated in the gerund, which means "to fold."
• 鳥 - Japanese noun that means "bird"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 作った - Japanese verb "tsukuru" conjugated in the past, which means "to create"

彼は約束を背いた。

Kare wa yakusoku o somuita

He broke the promise.

He promised.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 約束 - Japanese noun that means "promise"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 背いた - Japanese verb meaning "to break" or "to violate", conjugated in the past tense

彼は試験で一問も抜かさなかった。

Kare wa shiken de ichimon mo nukasanakatta

He did not let any questions pass on the exam.

He gave no doubt in the exam.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 試験 - Japanese noun that means "exam"
• で - Japanese particle that indicates the place where something happened.
• 一問 - Japanese noun that means "a question"
• も - Japanese particle that indicates inclusion, in this case, "not even one"
• 抜かさなかった - Japanese verb in the negative past that means "did not fail to respond"

彼は自分の信念を貫いた。

Kare wa jibun no shinnen o tsuranuita

He followed his belief.

He pierced their beliefs.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or attribution
• 信念 - Japanese noun meaning "belief" or "conviction"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 貫いた - Japanese verb in the past meaning "persevered" or "maintained"

彼を捕らえた。

Kare wo toraeta

I caught him.

I picked it up.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 捕らえた - Japanese verb meaning "captured"

彼は私を貶すような言葉を使った。

Kare wa watashi o kudasu yōna kotoba o tsukatta

He used words that belittled me.

He used words that degraded me.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 私 - Japanese pronoun that means "I"
• を - Japanese particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 貶す - Japanese verb that means "to lower," "to belittle"
• ような - Japanese particle that indicates similarity or comparison
• 言葉 - 日本語の名詞で「言葉」を意味します。
• を - Japanese particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 使った - Japanese verb in the past that means "used"

彼は弱いです。

Kare wa yowai desu

He is weak.

He is weak.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "he"
• 弱い - adjective "weak"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

彼を裁く必要がある。

Kare wo sabaku hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to judge it.

You need to judge it.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 裁く - Japanese verb that means "judge" or "sentence"
• 必要 - Japanese noun that means "necessity" or "essential"
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• ある - Japanese verb that means "to exist" or "there is"

彼は会社の員だ。

Kare wa kaisha no in da

He is a company employee.

He is a member of the company.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - Topic particle
• 会社 - noun "company"
• の - Possessive particle
• 員 - noun "member, employee"
• だ - verb "to be" in the informal form