付(つ)き合(あ)う

付(つ)き合(あ)う covers various types of relationships and social interactions.

Transitivity

• Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)

Usage

1. To associate/socialize: 近所(きんじょ)の人(ひと)と付(つ)き合(あ)う (to socialize with neighbors)
2. To date: 彼(かれ)/彼女(かのじょ)と付(つ)き合(あ)う (to date him/her)
3. To accompany: 買(か)い物(もの)に付(つ)き合(あ)う (to accompany shopping)

Common patterns

• 〜と付(つ)き合(あ)う: to date/associate with ~
• 〜に付(つ)き合(あ)う: to accompany someone to ~
• 付(つ)き合(あ)い: relationship, association (noun form)
• 長(なが)い付(つ)き合(あ)い: a long relationship

Common expressions

• 付(つ)き合(あ)っている: are dating
• 付(つ)き合(あ)い始(はじ)める: to start dating
• 上手(うま)く付(つ)き合(あ)う: to get along well with

ASPECT (ている):

• 付(つ)き合(あ)っている: is dating / is associating with (continuous/habitual state)
• Note: For sense 2 (dating), 付(つ)き合(あ)っている describes the ongoing state of being in a relationship, not the process of starting one. For sense 1, 長(なが)く付(つ)き合(あ)っている means "have had a long association." The plain form 付(つ)き合(あ)う is used for dictionary or hypothetical statements; for the actual current state of knowing/dating someone, use the ている form. To describe starting a relationship, use 付(つ)き合(あ)い始(はじ)める.