Translation and Meaning of: 彼 - kare

The Japanese word 彼[かれ] is an essential term for anyone learning the language, especially for those who wish to communicate naturally in everyday life. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in different contexts. Additionally, we will look at tips for memorizing this word and some curiosities that may help in learning. If you are looking to understand more about Japanese, Suki Nihongo is the best dictionary to deepen your knowledge.

Meaning and use of 彼[かれ]

彼[かれ] é um pronome pessoal que significa "ele". Ele é usado para se referir a um homem em específico, geralmente em situações informais ou cotidianas. Diferentemente de outros termos mais formais, 彼 carrega um tom mais direto e casual, sendo comum em conversas entre amigos ou familiares.

It is worth noting that, in some contexts, 彼 can also be used to refer to a boyfriend, especially when the relationship is already established. For example, if someone says "彼と映画を見に行った" (I went to the movies with him), they may be referring to their boyfriend, depending on the context of the conversation.

Origin and writing of the kanji 彼

The kanji 彼 is composed of the radical 彳 (which indicates movement or path) and 皮 (which means "skin" or "surface"). This combination suggests the idea of "something or someone that is beyond," which makes sense since the term refers to a third person distant from the speaker. This origin helps to understand why 彼 is used to indicate "he" in Japanese.

It is interesting to note that, although the kanji has this composition, its current use is not directly linked to the literal meaning of the radicals. Over time, the word has established itself as a personal pronoun, losing some of its connection to its original etymology.

Tips for memorizing and using 彼 correctly

An effective way to memorize 彼 is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, when watching a Japanese drama, pay attention when characters use this word to refer to a man. Repeating phrases like "彼は先生です" (He is a teacher) also helps to cement the term in memory.

Another tip is to avoid confusing 彼 with other pronouns, such as あの人 (that person) or 彼女 (she/girlfriend). While 彼 is more direct and informal, あの人 has a more neutral tone and can be used for both genders. Understanding these differences is essential for speaking Japanese naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 彼氏 (Kareshi) - Boyfriend
• 彼女 (Kareshi) - Girlfriend
• 彼方 (Kanata) - Far, beyond
• 彼方此方 (Kanata ko kata) - From one side to the other, everywhere
• 彼方此世 (Kanata konose) - This world and the beyond
• 彼方彼岸 (Kanata higashi) - The other side, beyond the horizon
• 彼方彼界 (Kanata hikai) - Another world, different from ours
• 彼方向こう (Kanata kohou) - That side
• 彼方向こう側 (Kanata kohou-gawa) - The opposite side

彼

Romaji: kare
Kana: かれ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: he; boyfriend

Meaning in English: he;boyfriend

Definition: Pronouns used for men and men in general.

Example Sentences - (彼) kare

See below some example sentences:

彼女は私をデートに誘う。

Kanojo wa watashi o deeto ni sasou

She invites me to a date.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• デート (deeto) - means "encounter" in Japanese, usually used to refer to a romantic meeting
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 誘う (sasou) - It means "invite" in Japanese.

彼女を空港まで見送った。

Kanojo wo kuukou made miokutta

I accompanied her to the airport.

I saw her at the airport.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 空港 (kuukou) - It means "airport" in Japanese.
• まで (made) - particle that indicates a limit or endpoint in Japanese
• 見送った (miokutta) - verb that means "to accompany to the exit" in Japanese, in the past

彼女は突然部屋から飛び出した。

Kanojo wa totsuzen heya kara tobidashta

She ran out of the room suddenly.

Suddenly, she jumped out of the room.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 突然 (totsuzen) - adverb meaning "suddenly" in Japanese
• 部屋 (heya) - means "room" in Japanese
• から (kara) - particle indicating origin or starting point in Japanese
• 飛び出した (tobidashita) - verb meaning "jumped" or "ran" in Japanese

彼女に贈り物をする。

Kanojo ni okurimono wo suru

I will give her a gift.

Give her a gift.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
• に (ni) - a particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case, "to"
• 贈り物 (okurimono) - It means "present" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "do"
• する (suru) - a verb that means "do"

彼女と付き合うのは楽しいです。

Kanojo to tsukiau no wa tanoshii desu

It's fun hanging out with her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
• と (to) - a particle that indicates someone's company, in this case, "with"
• 付き合う (tsukiau) - a verb meaning "to date" or "to have a relationship"
• のは (no wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - an adjective meaning "fun" or "pleasant"
• です (desu) - a particle indicating the polite form of the verb "to be"

彼女を苛めるのは悪いことだ。

Kanojo wo ijimeru no wa warui koto da

It's wrong to bully a girl.

It's bad to catch her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 苛める (ijimeru) - verb meaning "bullying" or "intimidating" in Japanese
• のは (no wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 悪い (warui) - Adjective meaning "bad" or "evil" in Japanese.
• こと (koto) - Noun that means "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• だ (da) - verb "to be" in Japanese

彼女に強いることはできない。

Kanojo ni shiiru koto wa dekinai

I can't force her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action, in this case, "to her"
• 強いる (shiiru) - a verb that means "to force" or "to impose"
• こと (koto) - a particle that indicates an action or event, in this case, "the action of forcing"
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about the action of forcing"
• できない (dekinai) - a verb that means "to be unable to do something"

彼女の気立てはとても優しいです。

Kanojo no kidate wa totemo yasashii desu

Your apprentices are very kind.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• の (no) - possessive particle, indicates that "kanojo" is the subject of the sentence
• 気立て (kidate) - means "personality" or "temperament"
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that "kidate" is the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

彼女に出くわすのは毎日のことだ。

Kanojo ni dekuwasu no wa mainichi no koto da

Meeting her is something that happens every day.

It's to find her every day.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
• 出くわす (dekawasu) - verb that means "to find" or "to encounter"
• のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - The adverb that means "every day" or "daily"
• のこと (no koto) - expression that means "thing of"
• だ (da) - verb that indicates existence or affirmation

彼女の心は狂っている。

Kanojo no kokoro wa kurutte iru

Your heart is crazy.

• 彼女 - her in Japanese
• の - possessive particle in Japanese, indicating that "heart" belongs to "her"
• 心 - "coração" in Japanese
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "heart" is the main subject of the sentence
• 狂っている - "crazy" in Japanese, indicating the current state of "her" "heart"