1.
acquaintance, someone whose face you know
A person you recognize by sight and may greet, but don't know well; someone between a stranger and a friend.
彼とは顔見知り程度の関係だ。
He and I are just acquaintances.
近所に顔見知りが増えてきた。
I've gotten to know more people in the neighborhood by sight.
駅で顔見知りに会って挨拶した。
I ran into an acquaintance at the station and greeted them.
友達というより顔見知りだ。
They're more of an acquaintance than a friend.
顔見知り describes someone you recognize but don't know well.
ETYMOLOGY:
顔 (face) + 見知り (from 見知る, to come to know by sight) - someone whose face you have come to know.
USAGE NOTE:
Implies a limited relationship - you might nod or say hello when you see them, but you wouldn't socialize or share personal matters. Often used to describe neighbors, regular customers, or people from the same school/workplace you don't interact with closely.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 顔見知り程度 - just an acquaintance (emphasizes the limited nature)
- 顔見知りになる - to become acquaintances
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 顔見知り vs. 知り合い: Similar meaning, but 顔見知り emphasizes recognizing by face; 知り合い can include people you know by name/reputation
- 顔見知り vs. 友達: 顔見知り is more distant than 友達
Related Words
Related:
知り合い (acquaintance)