(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.
馴染(なじ)みのない言葉(ことば)だ。
It's an unfamiliar word.
(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.
この(あじ)日本人(にほんじん)には馴染(なじ)みがある。
This flavor is familiar to Japanese people.
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.
馴染(なじ)みの(みせ)夕食(ゆうしょく)()った。
I had dinner at my regular restaurant.

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