交際関係
kousai kankei
The English phrase "dating relationship" is translated into Japanese as 交際関係 (kousai kankei).
The term describes a romantic involvement between two people who are seeing each other.
Which one should you use?
恋人関係 refers to a romantic relationship and can be used to describe a dating relationship. 付き合ってる is used informally to mean "dating" or "going out" and デートしてる is a casual way to say "dating" in Japanese. The loanword カップル is used among friends to refer to a dating couple.
How do you pronounce it?
kousai kankei
Did you know?
- In Japan, a dating relationship often officially begins only after a formal confession called 告白 'kokuhaku', where one person explicitly asks the other to date them.
- While 交際関係 refers to a romantic bond, the word 交際 alone is often used in business to describe 'socializing' or 'entertaining' clients to build professional networks.
- The common verb for dating, 付き合う 'tsukiau', carries the heavy nuance of 'to accompany' or 'to keep company'. It suggests a commitment to walking the same path together rather than just a casual romantic attraction.
Examples in context
- 付き合ってる人っているの？Are you dating anyone?
- 二人の交際関係は良好です。Futari no kousai kankei wa ryoukou desu.The dating relationship between the two is good.
- 彼らの交際関係はとても真剣です。Karera no kousai kankei wa totemo shinken desu.Their dating relationship is very serious.
- 新しい交際関係を築くのは難しい。Atarashii kousai kankei o kizuku no wa muzukashii.It is difficult to build a new dating relationship.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a mutual friend's news.
- 美咲 Misaki田中さんと佐藤さんの交際関係、知っていた？Tanaka-san to Sato-san no kousai kankei, shitte ita?Did you know about the dating relationship between Tanaka and Sato?
- 健太 Kentaえっ、本当に付き合っているの？E, hontou ni tsukiatte iru no?What, are they really dating?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、かなり真剣な交際関係みたいだよ。Un, kanari shinken na kousai kankei mitai da yo.Yes, it seems like a pretty serious dating relationship.
- 健太 Kentaそれはびっくりしたなあ。Sore wa bikkuri shita naa.That is a surprise.
