親しむ

• Reading: したしむ
• Romaji: shitashimu
• Kanji breakdown: 親 (shin/shita) — parent, intimate, familiar
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ta.ɕi.mɯ/

Meaning

To become familiar with; to befriend; to grow fond of. To develop a close, comfortable relationship with someone or something.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb describing the process of becoming close or intimate. Used for growing fond of people, becoming familiar with activities or arts, and feeling at home with something. Often paired with に to indicate the object of familiarity. Related to 親しい (close, intimate).

Examples

1. 子供の頃から音楽に親しんできた。 I've been familiar with music since I was a child.
2. 地域の人々と親しむ機会が増えた。 I've had more opportunities to get close to people in the community.
3. 読書に親しんだ経験は大人になっても役に立つ。 The experience of growing up with books will be useful even as an adult.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, relationships, hobbies

Tone: warm

Origin & History

From the kanji 親 (parent, intimate), which shows a tree (木) being examined closely (見), suggesting observing something near and dear — the closeness of a parent watching over.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal