Translation guide
The English word 'relationship' covers a wide range of connections between people, from romantic partnerships to family ties, friendships, and professional associations. Japanese uses different words depending on the nature and closeness of the bond. This guide helps you choose the right expression for each context.
To refer to a romantic partnership, dating, or being a couple.
The most common and natural way to say 'relationship' in a romantic sense. It implies an ongoing romantic involvement.
彼とは長い付き合いです。
I've been in a long relationship with him.
付き合ってる人はいますか？
Are you in a relationship?
A more formal term for romantic relationship, often used in official contexts or when discussing marriage prospects.
交際を申し込む
to propose a relationship
真剣な交際を考えています。
I'm thinking about a serious relationship.
Literally 'lover relationship', used to explicitly state a romantic bond, but less common in everyday speech.
二人は恋人関係にある。
The two are in a romantic relationship.
To talk about how people are connected, such as family, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances.
The most general word for 'relationship', covering any kind of connection. It can be used for personal, professional, or abstract links.
彼とはどういう関係ですか？
What is your relationship with him?
家族関係が大切です。
Family relationships are important.
Refers to the quality of a relationship, often used to describe how well people get along. Commonly used with adjectives like いい (good) or 悪い (bad).
彼とは仲がいい。
I have a good relationship with him.
A formal term for family relationship or kinship, used in official documents like family registers.
To refer to a romantic or sexual relationship, sometimes with a nuance of an affair or liaison.
Specifically means an extramarital affair or illicit romantic relationship. Strongly negative connotation.
不倫関係がバレた。
The affair was exposed.
Refers to cheating or having an affair, often used for less serious or one-time infidelity. Can also mean a fling.
To describe a relationship between ideas, things, or concepts, not people.
Same word as for personal connections, but used for abstract relationships like cause and effect, correlation, or mathematical relations.
原因と結果の関係
the relationship between cause and effect
この二つの事件は関係がある。
These two incidents are related.
Means 'relation' or 'connection', often used for links between topics, events, or data. Slightly more formal than 関係.
付き合い (tsukiai) is specifically for romantic relationships or socializing, while 関係 (kankei) is a broad term for any kind of connection. If you say 彼と関係がある (I have a relationship with him), it can sound like a secret or sexual relationship, so be careful with context.
彼とは付き合いがある。
I'm dating him. / I socialize with him.
彼とは関係がある。
I have a connection with him (possibly suspicious).
English speakers often want to use リレーションシップ (rireeshonshippu), but this is not natural Japanese. Stick to the words above depending on the context.
Specifically refers to human relationships or interpersonal connections, often used in contexts like workplace dynamics or social skills.
職場の人間関係に悩んでいる。
I'm struggling with workplace relationships.
良好な人間関係を築く
to build good relationships
二人は仲が悪い。
They have a bad relationship.
続柄を記入してください。
Please fill in your relationship (to the head of household).
He's having an affair.
Literally 'physical relationship', explicitly referring to a sexual relationship. Blunt and direct.
二人は肉体関係を持っている。
They have a physical relationship.
その問題と関連がある。
It has a relationship with that problem.
関連性を調べる
to investigate the relationship