Basic Meaning
The word 彼 (かれ) primarily means "he" or "him" in Japanese, referring to a male person who is not the speaker or listener. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about a third person male.
Romantic Use
Besides the general pronoun meaning, 彼 also means "boyfriend" when referring to a romantic partner. This usage is very common in casual and informal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 彼は (かれは): "he is" – used to introduce or talk about a male subject.
- 彼の (かれの): "his" – possessive form to indicate something belonging to him.
- 彼氏 (かれし): "boyfriend" – a compound word using 彼 to specifically mean a romantic male partner.
Usage Notes
When using 彼 to mean "he," it is polite and natural to use it when the male person is not present. However, in direct conversation, Japanese speakers often use the person's name or title instead. When 彼 means "boyfriend," it is informal and used mostly among friends or in casual settings.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 彼 (かれ) with 彼女 (かのじょ), which means "she" or "girlfriend." Remember that 彼 is male-related, while 彼女 is female-related.