(なじ)

なじみ
noun
familiarity; acquaintance; regular (customer)
1. familiarity; being used to
The state of being familiar with something or comfortable with it.
(あたら)しい環境(かんきょう)馴染(なじ)みがない。
I'm not familiar with the new environment.
2. acquaintance; regular
A person one knows well; a regular customer at a shop or establishment.
この(みせ)馴染(なじ)みの(きゃく)(おお)い。
This shop has many regular customers.
(おさな)馴染(なじ)みと(ひさ)しぶりに()った。
I met with my childhood friend after a long time.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 馴染(なじ)みの(みせ) - a familiar shop, regular haunt
  • 馴染(なじ)みの(きゃく) - regular customer
  • (おさな)馴染(なじ)み - childhood friend (very common term)
  • 馴染(なじ)みがある - to be familiar with
  • 馴染(なじ)みがない - to be unfamiliar with

KANJI NOTE:
The kanji ()じむ means "to get used to" or "to become familiar." The word is often written in hiragana as なじみ.

RELATED WORDS:

  • 顔馴染(かおなじ)み - familiar face, acquaintance
  • 馴染()じむ (verb) - to become familiar, to fit in