付き合ってくれない？
tsukiatte kurenai?
The English phrase "will you go out with me?" is translated into Japanese as 付き合ってくれない？ (tsukiatte kurenai?)
This phrase is used as a request to ask someone to start a romantic relationship with you.
Which one should you use?
You can use the form 付き合ってください to make the confession more formal and polite.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite approach, use 付き合ってください. If you wish to be very formal, you can say 私とデートしませんか？, which means "Would you like to go on a date with me?"
How do you pronounce it?
tsukiatte kurenai?
Did you know?
- In Japan, this moment of asking someone to be your partner is called a 'kokuhaku', or 'confession'. Unlike the Western concept of casual dating, many Japanese couples consider the relationship official only after this specific verbal declaration has been made.
- If someone says 付き合って while you are walking, they might not be asking you to be their partner. Depending on the context, they may simply be asking you to 'wait a moment' or 'come with me'.
- The grammatical ending ～てくれない? in your phrase adds a layer of vulnerability. It literally asks, 'Won't you do me the favor of…?', framing the romantic request as a personal favor rather than a simple question.
Examples in context
- 真剣に考えて、付き合ってくれない？Shinkeni kangaete, tsukiatte kurenai?Please think about it seriously, will you go out with me?
- もしよかったら、付き合ってくれない？Moshi yokattara, tsukiatte kurenai?If you wouldn't mind, will you go out with me?
Example conversation
Kenta is talking to Himari after a date.
- 陽葵 Himari今日は本当に楽しかったよ。Kyou wa hontou ni tanoshikatta yo.I had a really great time today.
- 健太 Kenta俺も。あの、陽葵、付き合ってくれない？Ore mo. Ano, Himari, tsukiatte kurenai?Me too. Um, Himari, will you go out with me?
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当？いいよ！Eh, hontou? Ii yo!What, really? I'd love to!
- 健太 Kenta本当か！ありがとう！Hontou ka! Arigatou!Really! Thank you!
