Translation guide
The English phrase "get to know" refers to the process of becoming familiar with a person, place, or thing over time. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different expressions are used depending on whether you are talking about people, places, or things, and whether the knowing is deep or superficial.
仕事で知り合いました。
We got to know each other at work.
Expressing the process of becoming acquainted with someone, often with the goal of friendship or deeper understanding.
Literally 'become close/friendly'. This is the most natural way to say 'get to know someone' when you mean developing a friendly relationship.
彼女とだんだん仲良くなった。
I gradually got to know her.
I want to get to know my new classmates quickly.
Literally 'get to know each other'. Often used for the initial stage of acquaintance. Can imply a more casual or less deep relationship than 仲良くなる.
パーティーで多くの人と知り合った。
I got to know many people at the party.
Similar to 仲良くなる but slightly more formal/literary. Implies becoming intimate or familiar with someone.
彼とは仕事を通じて親しくなった。
I got to know him through work.
Formal expression meaning 'deepen exchanges/interaction'. Used in business or formal contexts when talking about getting to know people through organized activities.
交流会で地元の人たちと交流を深めた。
I got to know the local people at the social gathering.
Focusing on learning facts, personality, or background about someone, not necessarily becoming friends.
Pattern: [person]のことを知る. This means 'learn about (someone)'. It's neutral and can be used for any depth of knowledge.
彼のことをもっと知りたい。
I want to get to know him better.
先生のことをよく知っていますか。
Do you know your teacher well? (Have you gotten to know your teacher?)
Pattern: [person]について知る. Similar to 〜のことを知る but slightly more formal or objective. Often used when learning specific information.
彼の経歴について知りたい。
I want to get to know about his career.
Becoming accustomed to or learning about a place, system, or object through experience.
Pattern: [place/thing]に慣れる. Means 'get used to' or 'become familiar with'. This is the most common way to express getting to know a place or routine.
新しい街に慣れるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to get to know the new town.
この機械の操作に早く慣れたい。
I want to get to know how to operate this machine quickly.
Pattern: [place/thing]をよく知る. Means 'know well'. Implies deep familiarity, often from long experience.
彼はこの辺りをよく知っている。
He knows this area well. (He has gotten to know this area.)
Pattern: [topic/thing]に詳しくなる. Means 'become knowledgeable about'. Used when you actively learn details about a subject.
日本酒に詳しくなりたい。
I want to get to know sake (in depth).
Learning a fact or piece of information, often unexpectedly or through inquiry.
Simple 'learn/find out'. Use when the object is a fact or piece of information.
彼の秘密を知ってしまった。
I got to know his secret.
Means 'come to understand' or 'find out'. Often used when the information becomes clear to you.
彼の本当の気持ちが分かった。
I got to know his true feelings.
Do not translate 'get to know' literally as 知るようになる or 知り得る. These are unnatural. Use the phrases above depending on context.
仲良くなる implies a deepening friendship, while 知り合う simply means meeting and becoming acquainted. Use 仲良くなる when you want to emphasize a close relationship.
彼とは知り合ったばかりで、まだ仲良くはない。
I just got to know him (met him), we're not close yet.
人を本当に知るには時間がかかる。
It takes time to really get to know someone.
まだこの街に慣れていない。
I'm still getting to know the city.