Meaning

Primary

You

Alternative

Buddy

Word Type

pronoun

Explanation

Okay, so the kanji itself means buddy and so does the word, but it also means you as well. This is one of the several ways to say "you" in Japanese, and this one is kind of an "affectionate" you. Maybe you'd say it with someone you're close to. Maybe you'd say it with a girlfriend or boyfriend. You wouldn't want to use it with your boss or teacher, though. Make sure to keep that in mind. It's kind of like saying "hey buddy" or "hey you," after all.

Reading

きみ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun'yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn't learn that reading, so here's a mnemonic to help you with this word:

Who's your buddy? It's Kimmy (きみ)! If you know a Kimmy, imagine her. If you don't, find a famous Kimmy or make up a Kimmy to imagine. You ask... is it you?? Wait, you're my buddy?

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 君を見る

    to look at you

    君を思う

    to think of you

    君を失う

    to lose you

Context Sentences

君、もしかしてコウイチの妹?

Are you perhaps Koichi's younger sister?

君の作るカレーが日本一だよ。

The curry you make is the best in Japan.

君は私に毎日シャワーをあびる大切さを教えてくれたじゃないか。

You taught me the importance of taking a shower every day, right?

Kanji Composition