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:

客観的に物事を見ることが大切です。

Kankyanteki ni monogoto wo miru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to see things objectively.

It is important to see things objectively.

• 客観的に - objectively
• 物事 - things, subjects
• を - direct object particle
• 見る - see, observe
• こと - abstract noun indicating action or event
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - Verb ser/estar in the formal present tense

平等は人間の基本的な権利です。

Heidou wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Equality is the basic law of humans.

• 平等 - equality
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Particle that indicates possession
• 基本的な - fundamental
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

彼は的確な答えを出した。

Kare wa tekikaku na kotae o dashita

He gave an accurate answer.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 的確な (tekikakuna) - I need, exact
• 答え (kotae) - Reply
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 出した (dashita) - Gave, presented

彼女は断定的な態度をとった。

Kanojo wa danteiteki na taido o totta

She adopted a decisive attitude.

She adopted a definitive attitude.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 断定的 (danteiteki) - determined, decisive
• な (na) - auxiliary particle
• 態度 (taido) - attitude
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• とった (totta) - took

彼女は社会的な地位を高めるために努力している。

Kanojo wa shakaiteki na chii o takameru tame ni doryoku shite iru

She is trying hard to increase her social standing.

She is working hard to improve her social status.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会的な (shakaitekina) - Social
• 地位 (chii) - Position
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 高める (takameru) - increase
• ために (tameni) - For
• 努力している (doryoku shiteiru) - You are making an effort.

徹底的に調べる

Tetteiteki ni shiraberu

thoroughly investigate

• 徹底的 - complete, meticulous
• に - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 調べる - Investigate, examine

抗争は平和的な解決が望ましい。

Kousou wa heiwateki na kaiketsu ga nozomashii

The convention is desirable for a peaceful solution.

• 抗争 (kousou) - Conflict, dispute
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 平和的な (heiwa-teki na) - peaceful, quiet
• 解決 (kaiketsu) - resolution, solution
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 望ましい (nozomashii) - desirable, preferable

掛け算は算数の基本的な四則演算の一つです。

Kakezan wa sansū no kihonteki na shisoku enzan no hitotsu desu

Calculus is one of the four basic arithmetic operations of arithmetic.

• 掛け算 - multiplication
• は - Topic particle
• 算数 - arithmetic
• の - Possession particle
• 基本的 - basic
• な - adjectival suffix
• 四則演算 - basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

文字は日本語の基本的な要素です。

Mojiretsu wa Nihongo no kihonteki na youso desu

The characters are the basic elements of the Japanese.

• 文字 (moji) - characters
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 基本的 (kihonteki) - basic, fundamental
• な (na) - Particle indicating adjective
• 要素 (yōso) - element, component
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

梅干は日本の伝統的な保存食品です。

Umeboshi wa Nihon no dentōteki na hozon shokuhin desu

Umeboshi is a traditional preserved Japanese food.

• 梅干 - umeboshi, a Japanese pickled plum
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 伝統的な - Traditional
• 保存食品 - preserved food
• です - verb to be in the polite form