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] is a personal pronoun that means "he" in Portuguese. It is used to refer to a specific man, usually in informal or everyday situations. Unlike other, more formal terms, 彼 carries a more direct and casual tone, being common in conversations among friends or family.

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:

彼女は私に勝っている。

Kanojo wa watashi ni masutte iru

She is surpassing me.

She is above me.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action
• 勝っている (katteiru) - is winning

彼女は私に仕事を言い付けた。

Kanojo wa watashi ni shigoto o iitsuketa

She gave me work orders.

She gave me a job.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私に (watashi ni) - for me
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 言い付けた (iitsuketa) - ordenou

彼女は部屋を散らすのが好きです。

Kanojo wa heya wo chirasu no ga suki desu

She likes to mess up the room.

She likes to spread out the room.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 部屋 (heya) - fourth
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 散らす (chirasu) - spread, mess up
• のが (no ga) - particle that indicates that the previous verb is the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼女は今日不在です。

Kanojo wa kyō fuzai desu

She is not present today.

She is absent today.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 今日 (kyou) - today
• 不在 (fuzai) - ausente
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

彼女の顔が赤らんでいる。

Kanojo no kao ga akaran de iru

Your face is blushing.

Her face is reddish.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 顔 (kao) - It means "face" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 赤らんでいる (akaran de iru) - verb that indicates that the face is turning red

彼女にプレゼントを贈る予定です。

Kanojo ni purezento o okuru yotei desu

I'm going to give her a present.

I'm going to give her a present.

• 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"
• プレゼント (purezento) - Japanese word meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the present"
• 贈る (okuru) - a verb meaning "to give" or "to present"
• 予定 (yotei) - a word meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - a particle indicating the polite or formal form of the verb "to be"

彼女を迎えに行きます。

Kanojo wo mukae ni ikimasu

I will pick her up.

I will pick myself.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Namorada" significa "彼女" (かのじ, kanojo) em japonês.
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 迎え (mukae) - The verb that means "to seek" or "to receive" in Japanese is "受ける" (うける).
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 行きます (ikimasu) - The verb that means "to go" in Japanese, conjugated in the present tense is "行く" (iku).

彼女を捜す。

Kanojo wo sagasu

Estou procurando por ela.

Procure por ela.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 捜す (sagasu) - significa "procurar"

彼女を責めるのはやめてください。

Kanojo wo semeru no wa yamete kudasai

Por favor, pare de culpar a sua namorada.

Não a culpe.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 責める (semeru) - verbo que significa "culpar" ou "repreender"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or connection
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• やめて (yamete) - forma imperativa do verbo "yameru", que significa "parar"
• ください (kudasai) - expression meaning "please"

彼女を離すのは辛かった。

Kanojo wo hanasu no wa tsurakatta

Foi difícil deixá-la ir.

Foi doloroso liberá -la.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 離す (hanasu) - verbo que significa "separar" ou "deixar ir"
• の (no) - nominal particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 辛かった (tsurakatta) - verbo no passado que significa "foi difícil" ou "foi doloroso"