(きゅうせっきん)

きゅうせっきん
noun, verb-suru
rapid approach; suddenly becoming close
1. rapid approach; quick closing of distance
A physical object or person approaching rapidly. Used for vehicles, aircraft, or other objects moving quickly toward something.
台風(たいふう)急接近(きゅうせっきん)している。
The typhoon is rapidly approaching.
(うし)ろから(くるま)急接近(きゅうせっきん)してきた。
A car rapidly approached from behind.
(てき)戦闘機(せんとうき)がレーダーに(うつ)り、こちらに急接近(きゅうせっきん)していることが判明(はんめい)した。
An enemy fighter appeared on radar and was found to be rapidly approaching our position.
2. suddenly becoming close; rapid development of a relationship
A sudden deepening of a personal or diplomatic relationship. Often used in gossip media for romantic relationships or in news for political relations between countries.
二人(ふたり)急接近(きゅうせっきん)した。
The two suddenly became close.
共演(きょうえん)をきっかけに急接近(きゅうせっきん)したと(ほう)じられた。
It was reported that they suddenly became close after co-starring together.
両国(りょうこく)経済(けいざい)協力(きょうりょく)(つう)じて急接近(きゅうせっきん)し、(あら)たな同盟(どうめい)関係(かんけい)(きず)いた。
The two countries rapidly drew closer through economic cooperation and built a new alliance.

Composed of (きゅう) (sudden, rapid) and 接近(せっきん) (approach, proximity).

Sense 2 is very common in tabloid headlines and entertainment news, especially for celebrity romantic relationships.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 台風(たいふう)急接近(きゅうせっきん)する (a typhoon rapidly approaches)
  • 二人(ふたり)急接近(きゅうせっきん)する (two people suddenly become close)
  • 両国(りょうこく)急接近(きゅうせっきん)する (two countries rapidly draw closer)