付き合う

• Reading: つきあう
• Romaji: tsukiau
• Kanji breakdown: 付 (fu/tsu) — attach, stick to; 合 (gou/a) — fit, join, together
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ki.a.ɯ/

Meaning

To associate with; to keep company with; to go out with (romantically); to go along with.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugated with the う row (付き合わない, 付き合います). Has three main uses: romantic dating (彼と付き合っている, dating him), socializing (友達と付き合う, hanging out with friends), and accommodating someone (買い物に付き合う, accompanying someone shopping). Context determines the meaning.

Examples

1. 二人は大学から付き合っているらしい。 Apparently they've been dating since college.
2. 今度の日曜日、買い物に付き合ってくれない？ Would you come shopping with me this Sunday?
3. あまり良くない人と付き合わないほうがいい。 You shouldn't hang around with people who are a bad influence.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, social life, daily life

Tone: casual

Origin & History

Compound verb from 付く (tsuku, to attach/stick) and 合う (au, mutual action). Together, 'sticking together mutually' — spending time with someone by mutual choice.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal