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:

トレーニングをすることは健康的な生活に欠かせない。

Toreeningu wo suru koto wa kenkouteki na seikatsu ni kakasenai

Training is essential for a healthy life.

Training is indispensable for a healthy life.

• トレーニング - - word in Japanese that means "training".
• をすることは - - expression in Japanese that indicates the action of doing something, in this case, the training.
• 健康的な - - word in Japanese that means "healthy".
• 生活に - - a Japanese expression that indicates the relationship with lifestyle.
• 欠かせない - - word in Japanese that means "indispensable" or "essential".

インテリは知的である。

Inteli wa chiteki de aru

Intelli is smart.

• インテリ - a Japanese word meaning "intellectual".
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "インテリ".
• 知的 - Japanese adjective meaning "intelligent".
• である - Japanese verb that indicates the formal and polite form of the verb "to be".

このシステムは非常に効率的です。

Kono shisutemu wa hijō ni kōritsu desu

This system is very efficient.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• システム - substantive that means "system"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 効率的 - efficient
• です - verb to be in the polite form

このシステムの配置は効率的です。

Kono shisutemu no haichi wa kōritsuteki desu

The arrangement of this system is efficient.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• システム - substantive that means "system"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 配置 - noun that means "disposition" or "arrangement"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 効率的 - adjective that means "efficient" or "productive"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence

このプランはとても魅力的です。

Kono puran wa totemo miryokuteki desu

This plan is very attractive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• プラン - noun meaning "plan" or "project"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, the previously mentioned plan
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 魅力的 - Adjective that means "attractive" or "seductive"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この手法は非常に効果的です。

Kono shuhō wa hijō ni kōkateki desu

This technique is very effective.

This method is very effective.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 手法 - noun meaning "method" or "technique"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 効果的 - adjective that means "effective" or "efficient"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この映画の人物はとても魅力的です。

Kono eiga no jinbutsu wa totemo miryokuteki desu

The characters in this movie are very captivating.

The person in this movie is very attractive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 映画 - noun meaning "film"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 人物 - noun meaning "character"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 魅力的 - adjective meaning "attractive" or "charming"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

この矢は的に命中した。

Kono ya wa mato ni meichuu shita

This arrow hit the target.

This arrow hit the target.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 矢 - noun meaning "arrow"
• は - Topic particle
• 的 - noun meaning "target"
• に - target particle
• 命中した - verb meaning "hit" or "hit" in the past

この見本はとても魅力的です。

Kono mihon wa totemo miryokuteki desu

This sample is very attractive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 見本 - noun meaning "example" or "sample"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 魅力的 - adjective meaning "attractive" or "charming"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

このイベントの賞品はとても魅力的です。

Kono ibento no shōhin wa totemo miryokuteki desu

The prizes of this event are very attractive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun
• イベント - event
• の - Possession particle
• 賞品 - award
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb of intensity (very)
• 魅力的 - adjective (attractive)
• です - verb ser/estar (polite)