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:

レクリエーションは健康的な生活に必要です。

Rekurieeshon wa kenkouteki na seikatsu ni hitsuyou desu

Recreation is necessary for a healthy life.

Recreation is necessary for a healthy life.

• レクリエーション - Recreation
• は - Topic particle
• 健康的な - Healthy
• 生活 - Life
• に - Destination particle
• 必要 - Necessary
• です - Verb to be

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

分子は化学的な構成要素です。

Bunshi wa kagakuteki na kōseiyōso desu

Molecule is a fundamental chemical component.

Molecules are chemical components.

• 分子 - "molecule" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 化学的な - It means "químico" in Japanese.
• 構成要素 - "componente" means "コンポーネント" in Japanese.
• です - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of the sentence and formality.

効率的に仕事をすることが大切です。

Kōritsu

It is important to work efficiently.

• 効率的に - Adverb that means "efficiently"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb that means "to do"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - an auxiliary verb indicating the polite and formal form of the sentence

合理的な判断をすることが大切です。

Gōriteki na handan o suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to do rational judgments.

It is important to do a reasonable judgment.

• 合理的な - adjective meaning "rational" or "reasonable"
• 判断 - noun meaning "judgment" or "decision"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of speech

回り道をしても目的地に着く。

Mawari michi wo shitemo mokutekichi ni tsuku

Even with a detour

Even if you take a detour, you will reach your destination.

• 回り道をしても - even if it takes a detour
• 目的地に - for the destination
• 着く - arrive

国会は重要な政治的機関です。

Kokkai wa juuyou na seijiteki kikan desu

Parliament is an important political institution.

Diet is an important political organization.

• 国会 - parliament
• は - Topic particle
• 重要な - important
• 政治的 - political
• 機関 - institution
• です - is

天皇は日本の象徴的存在です。

Tennou wa Nihon no shouchouteki sonzai desu

The emperor is a symbol of Japan.

• 天皇 - Emperor of Japan
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 象徴的 - symbolic
• 存在 - existence
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

奇数は偶数と対照的です。

Kisuu wa guusuu to taishouteki desu

Odd numbers contrast with even numbers.

• 奇数 - Odd number
• は - Topic particle
• 偶数 - even number
• と - Comparison particle
• 対照的 - contrasting, opposite
• です - verb ser/estar, indicating the polite form

宗教は人々の信仰と精神的な支えです。

Shūkyō wa hitobito no shin'kō to seishinteki na sasaedeshi

Religion is the religion and mental support of the people.

• 宗教 - Religion
• は - Topic particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• と - connecting particle
• 精神的な - spiritual
• 支え - support
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense