(なじ)

なじみ
noun
familiarity; acquaintance; regular (customer)
daily-lifeperson
1. familiarity; being used to
The state of being familiar with something or comfortable with it.
馴染(なじ)ない言葉(ことば)だ。
It's an unfamiliar word.
I'm not familiar with the new environment.
This flavor is familiar to Japanese people.
2. acquaintance; regular
A person one knows well; a regular customer at a shop or establishment.
This shop has many regular customers.
(おさな)馴染(なじ)(ひさ)しぶり()った
I met with my childhood friend after a long time.
I had dinner at my regular restaurant.

Common expressions

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

Writing

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