相手(あいて)にする

あいてにする
expression
to deal with; to take notice of; to engage with
communication
1. to deal with; to take notice of; to engage with; to pay attention to
To engage with or respond to someone. Very commonly used in the negative to mean ignoring someone or not giving them attention.
相手(あいて)にしないほうがいい。
You'd better just ignore them.
だれも彼(かれ)を相手(あいて)にしなかった。
Nobody paid any attention to him.
そんなくだらない挑発(ちょうはつ)を相手(あいて)にする必要(ひつよう)はない。
There's no need to engage with such petty provocation.

Usage

Most frequently used in the negative (相手(あいて)にしない) to mean "to ignore" or "to not bother with." In the affirmative, it can mean to engage with, respond to, or deal with someone. Also used with を: ～を相手(あいて)にする.

Common patterns

  • ～を相手(あいて)にする (to deal with ~)
  • 相手(あいて)にしない (to ignore, to not engage)
  • 相手(あいて)にされない (to be ignored)

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 無視(むし)する (more direct/deliberate)
Synonym: 取(と)り合(あ)う (to deal with)
general
Added 2026.3.17 17:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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