Translation and Meaning of: 的 - teki

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 的[てき]. This small particle may seem simple at first glance, but it carries meanings and usages that go beyond the obvious. In this article, we will explore what it actually means, how it originated, and how the Japanese use it in their daily lives.

In addition to understanding its translation and origin, we will see practical examples of how 的 appears in real contexts, from informal conversations to more formal expressions. If you want to memorize this word once and for all or just discover curiosities about it, keep reading!

The meaning and origin of 的

The word 的[てき] is a suffix that generally transforms nouns into adjectives, conveying the idea of "related to" or "characteristic of." For example, 科学的[かがくてき] means "scientific" (related to science), and 現実的[げんじつてき] means "realistic" (characteristic of reality). This usage is extremely common in modern Japanese, especially in formal and academic texts.

As for its origin, 的 comes from the kanji that originally meant "target" or "bullseye". Over time, its meaning expanded to represent something that is "directed at" or "pertinent to", evolving into the suffix we know today. This change reflects how the Japanese language adapts Chinese characters for unique grammatical functions.

How to use 的 in everyday Japanese

One of the most interesting features of 的 is its versatility. It can be added to nouns to create adjectives that describe qualities or relationships. For example, 経済的[けいざいてき] means "economic" (in the sense of financial efficiency), while 感情的[かんじょうてき] refers to something "emotional." This construction is so productive that new terms with 的 frequently emerge.

However, it is important to note that not every noun accepts 的 naturally. Some combinations sound strange or even incorrect to native speakers. Therefore, the ideal is to learn these words in context, observing how the Japanese use them. Listening to podcasts, watching TV shows, and reading articles can help internalize which combinations are natural.

Tips and curiosities for memorizing 的

An effective way to remember the use of 的 is to associate it with the concept of "target." Just as an arrow hits a specific target, the suffix 的 directs the meaning of the noun towards a characteristic or relationship. This mental image can facilitate the understanding of terms like 具体的[ぐたいてき] ("concrete," as something that reaches materiality) or 積極的[せっきょくてき] ("active," as someone who aims for action).

Another curiosity is that 的 appears frequently in political and social discussions in Japan. Terms like 社会的[しゃかいてき] ("social") and 政治的[せいじてき] ("political") are common in public debates. If you consume news in Japanese, you have probably encountered this structure several times without realizing it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 目的 (mokuteki) - Objective or purpose
• 目標 (mokuhyou) - Specific goal or target, which may be related to a purpose
• 目的地 (mokutekichi) - Destination or place one seeks to reach
• 目的意識 (mokuteki ishiki) - Awareness or perception of the goal
• 目的性 (mokutekisei) - Feature or quality of having a purpose
• 目的論 (mokutekiron) - Theory of the goal or purpose
• 目的語 (mokuteki go) - Language or term related to the objective
• 目的思想 (mokuteki shisou) - Goal-oriented idea or thought
• 目的主義 (mokuteki shugi) - Pragmatism or goal-oriented ideology
• 目的達成 (mokuteki tassei) - Achieve or accomplish a goal
• 目的合致 (mokuteki gatchi) - Convergence or alignment with a goal
• 目的性意識 (mokutekisei ishiki) - Awareness of the nature of the objective
• 目的志向 (mokuteki shikou) - Guidance for the objective
• 目的意味 (mokuteki imi) - Meaning or importance of the objective
• 目的性欲求 (mokutekisei yokkyuu) - Desire based on a specific goal
• 目的性行動 (mokutekisei koudou) - Goal-oriented action
• 目的性思考 (mokutekisei shikou) - Thought based on a goal
• 目的性行為 (mokutekisei koui) - Behavior aimed at a goal
• 目的性関心 (mokutekisei kanshin) - Interest due to a goal
• 目的性行動理論 (mokutekisei koudou riron) - Theory about goal-oriented actions
• 目的性行動モデル (mokutekisei koudou moderu) - Goal-oriented behavior model

的

Romaji: teki
Kana: てき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: -Ike; typical

Meaning in English: '-like;typical

Definition: What are you aiming for. The goal.

Example Sentences - (的) teki

See below some example sentences:

饂飩は日本の伝統的な食べ物です。

Udon wa Nihon no dentō teki na tabemono desu

Udon is a traditional Japanese food.

Udon is a traditional Japanese food.

• 饂飩 - Udon, a type of Japanese noodle
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 食べ物 - food
• です - verb to be in the polite form

醤油は日本の伝統的な調味料です。

Shouyu wa Nihon no dentouteki na choumiryou desu

Soy sauce is a traditional Japanese seasoning.

• 醤油 - shoyu (soy sauce)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Nihon (Japan)
• の - Possessive particle
• 伝統的な - dentoutekina (traditional)
• 調味料 - choumiryou (condiment)
• です - desu (verb to be)

間接的な影響は大きいです。

Kansetsuteki na eikyou wa ookii desu

The indirect impact is great.

• 間接的な - adjective meaning "indirect"
• 影響 - noun meaning "influence"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 大きい - adjective meaning "big"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

論争は建設的なものであるべきだ。

Ronsou wa kensetsuteki na mono de aru beki da

The debates should be constructive.

Controversy must be constructive.

• 論争 (ronsou) - dispute, controversy
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建設的 (kensetsuteki) - constructive
• な (na) - Particle indicating adjective
• もの (mono) - thing
• である (dearu) - to be
• べき (beki) - Duty, obligation
• だ (da) - to be

茶の湯は日本の伝統的な茶道の儀式です。

Chanoyu wa Nihon no dentōteki na sadō no gishiki desu

Chanoyu is a traditional ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Canoyu is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

• 茶の湯 (Chanoyu) - Tea ceremony
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (Nihon) - Japan
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 伝統的な (dentōteki na) - Traditional
• 茶道 (chadō) - Tea path
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 儀式 (gishiki) - Ceremony, ritual
• です (desu) - polite way of being

肯定的な答えを出してください。

Kōteki na kotae o dashite kudasai

Please give a positive response.

Give a positive answer.

• 肯定的な - adjective meaning "affirmative" or "positive"
• 答え - noun meaning "answer"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 出して - verb in the imperative meaning "to give" or "to provide"
• ください - verb in the imperative meaning "please"

自由は人間の基本的な権利です。

Jiyuu wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Freedom is a fundamental right of human beings.

Freedom is the basic right of humans.

• 自由 - freedom
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 基本的な - basic
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

総合的なアプローチが必要です。

Sougouteki na apurouchi ga hitsuyou desu

The general approach is needed.

You need a comprehensive approach.

• 総合的な - comprehensive, complete
• アプローチ - approach
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 必要 - necessary
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

竹は日本の伝統的な素材です。

Take wa Nihon no dentō-teki na sozai desu

Bamboo is a traditional material in Japan.

Bamboo is a traditional Japanese material.

• 竹 (take) - means "bamboo" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (nihon) - means "Japan" in Japanese
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 伝統的な (dentōteki na) - adjective meaning "traditional"
• 素材 (sozai) - means "material" in Japanese
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

素材が豊富なデザインは魅力的です。

Sozai ga houfu na dezain wa miryokuteki desu

A design with a wide variety of materials is attractive.

The design with abundant materials is attractive.

• 素材 (sozai) - material
• が (ga) - partícula que indica o sujeito de uma frase
• 豊富 (houfu) - abundant, plentiful
• な (na) - auxiliary adjective that indicates a state of being
• デザイン (dezain) - Design
• は (wa) - partícula que indica o tópico de uma frase
• 魅力的 (miryokuteki) - attractive, charming
• です (desu) - copula que indica polidez e formalidade