Translation guide
The English word 'dating' covers a range of romantic social activities, from casual going out to serious relationships. Japanese expresses these through different verbs and nouns depending on the stage and seriousness.
I'm dating him.
Are those two dating?
A more formal noun meaning 'association' or 'dating'. Often used in official contexts or when talking about dating with a view to marriage.
to ask someone to go out with you (formal)
How long have you been dating? (formal)
Polite version of 付き合い, used when speaking respectfully about someone's relationship or when referring to one's own relationship in a humble way.
Are you seeing anyone? (polite)
To talk about going out on a date as an activity or event.
The loanword for 'date'. Used for a planned romantic outing. Can be a noun or combined with する to make a verb.
I'm going on a date this weekend.
Where did you go on your first date?
Literally 'go on a date'. Emphasizes the act of going out.
I'm going on a date with my girlfriend tomorrow.
To describe a situation where you are going on dates but not yet in a committed relationship.
To express the action of asking someone to go on a date or to start a relationship.
To specify that the dating is serious and aimed at marriage.
A set phrase meaning 'dating with marriage in mind'. Very common in Japanese relationship contexts.
We are dating with the intention of getting married.
Abbreviation of 結婚活動, meaning actively searching for a marriage partner, often through arranged dates or parties.
While デート is perfect for a date event, saying デートしている can be ambiguous. For a steady relationship, use 付き合っている.
I'm dating her (in a relationship).
I'm going on dates with her (could be casual).
付き合う implies an ongoing relationship, while デートする refers to the activity of going on a date. You can デートする with someone you are 付き合っている, but you can also デートする casually without being in a relationship.
He's just dating around, not serious.
Yesterday I confessed my feelings to the person I like.
最近、婚活を始めた。
I recently started looking for a marriage partner.