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:

知性を持った人は魅力的です。

Chisei wo motta hito wa miryokuteki desu

People who are intelligent are attractive.

People with intelligence are attractive.

• 知性を持った人 - a person who possesses intelligence and knowledge
• は - Topic marking particle
• 魅力的です - is charming, attractive

短歌を詠むことは日本の伝統的な文化です。

Tanka wo utamu koto wa Nihon no dentōteki na bunka desu

Composing tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

Writing a tanka is a traditional Japanese culture.

• 短歌 - a type of Japanese poem with 31 syllables
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 詠む - verb meaning "to recite" or "to sing" a poem
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 伝統的な - adjective meaning "traditional"
• 文化 - culture
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

生存は人間にとって最も基本的な欲求の一つです。

Seizon wa ningen ni totte mottomo kihonteki na yokkyū no hitotsu desu

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

Survival is one of the most basic needs for human beings.

• 生存 - survival
• 人間 - Human being
• にとって - for
• 最も - the most
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 欲求 - wish
• の - of
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - is

消耗品は定期的に補充する必要があります。

Shoumouhin wa teikiteki ni hokan suru hitsuyou ga arimasu

The consumable items need to be refilled regularly.

Consumables must be replenished regularly.

• 消耗品 (shoumouhin) - consumable products
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 定期的に (teikiteki ni) - periodically
• 補充する (hojyuu suru) - refuel
• 必要があります (hitsuyou ga arimasu) - Is required

気品あふれる女性は魅力的です。

Kihin afureru josei wa miryokuteki desu

A woman full of elegance is attractive.

The elegant woman is attractive.

• 気品 (kibun) - refinement, elegance
• あふれる (afureru) - overflow, be full of
• 女性 (josei) - woman
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 魅力的 (miryokuteki) - attractive, charming
• です (desu) - polite way of being

油を使わない料理が健康的です。

Abura wo tsukawanai ryouri ga kenkouteki desu

Cooking without oil is healthy.

Cooking that does not use oil is healthy.

• 油を使わない - do not use oil
• 料理 - cuisine
• が - subject particle
• 健康的 - healthy
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

手段は目的を達成するための重要な要素です。

Shudan wa mokuteki o tassei suru tame no juuyou na youso desu

The means are an important element in achieving a goal.

A means is an important factor in achieving your goals.

• 手段 (shudan) - means
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 目的 (mokuteki) - objective
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - Achieve, accomplish
• ための (tame no) - from, to
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

批判は建設的な議論を生む。

Hihan wa kensetsuteki na giron wo umu

Criticism generates constructive discussions.

Criticism breeds constructive debate.

• 批判 (hihan) - criticism
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建設的 (kensetsuteki) - constructive
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 議論 (giron) - discussion
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 生む (umu) - to produce

情熱的な愛を持って生きる。

Jounetsuteki na ai wo motte ikiru

Viva com amor apaixonado.

Live with passionate love.

• 情熱的な - passionate, burning
• 愛 - love
• を - direct object particle
• 持って - Land, possess
• 生きる - live

彼は消極的な態度をとっている。

Kare wa shōkyokuteki na taido o totte iru

He is adopting a passive attitude.

He has a reluctant attitude.

• 彼 - He
• は - Topic particle
• 消極的な - Passive, negative
• 態度 - Attitude
• を - Direct object particle
• とっている - It's having