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." 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 between 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:

私は彼の言葉を疑う。

Watashi wa kare no kotoba wo utagau

I doubt his words.

I doubt your words.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 - personal pronoun that means "he" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle indicating that "言葉" (words) belongs to "彼" (him)
• 言葉 - noun that means "words" in Japanese
• を - object particle that indicates that "言葉" (words) is the direct object of the action
• 疑う - verb meaning "to doubt" in Japanese

私は彼女の愛を感じる。

Watashi wa kanojo no ai wo kanjiru

I feel her love.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼女 - The noun that means "she" in Japanese is "彼女" (kanojo).
• の - possessive particle that indicates that "love" belongs to "her"
• 愛 - The noun that means "love" in Japanese is "愛" (ai).
• を - direct object particle that indicates that "love" is the object of the action
• 感じる - The verb that means "to feel" in Japanese is "感じる" (kanjiru).

私は彼女を介抱した。

Watashi wa kanojo wo kaihō shita

I hugged her.

I took it to her.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "girlfriend" or "her"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 介抱した - verb meaning "to look after" or "to assist", conjugated in the past tense

私は彼に勝利を譲った。

Watashi wa kare ni shōri o yuzutta

I gave him the victory.

I gave him victory.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 - personal pronoun meaning "he"
• に - particle that indicates the recipient of the action
• 勝利 - noun that means "victory"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 譲った - verb meaning "to grant" or "to give", conjugated in the past tense

私は彼女の手を掴んだ。

Watashi wa kanojo no te o tsukanda

I held her hand.

I grabbed her hand.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that the hand belongs to her
• 手 - noun that means "hand"
• を - object particle that indicates that the hand is the object of the action
• 掴んだ - verb that means "to grab" or "to hold" in the past

私は彼を放すことができなかった。

Watashi wa kare wo hanasu koto ga dekinakatta

I couldn't let him go.

I couldn't free him.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 彼 - personal pronoun meaning "he"
• を - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 放す - verb that means "to release," "to let go," "to set free"
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• できなかった - verb in the negative past form that means "it was not possible"

私は彼にプレゼントを渡す予定です。

Watashi wa kare ni purezento o watasu yotei desu

I plan to give him a gift.

I will give him a gift.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 彼 - personal pronoun meaning "he"
• に - particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case "for him"
• プレゼント - noun meaning "gift"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the present"
• 渡す - verb meaning "to deliver"
• 予定 - Noun that means "plan" or "schedule"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私は彼女に告白した。

Watashi wa kanojo ni kokuhaku shita

I confessed my feelings to her.

I confessed to her.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 彼女 - noun meaning "she"
• に - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "for her"
• 告白 - noun that means "confession"
• した - verb "suru" in the past tense, which means "did"

私は彼女の絵を写すことができます。

Watashi wa kanojo no e o utsusu koto ga dekimasu

I can copy her painting.

I can take her picture.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 絵 - noun meaning "image" or "painting"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 写す - verb meaning "to copy" or "to reproduce"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は彼女を待つ。

Watashi wa kanojo o matsu

I'm waiting for her.

I wait for her.

• 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は - it is a topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 彼女 - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• を - it is a direct object particle that indicates that "she" is the direct object of the action "to wait"
• 待つ - means "wait" in Japanese