Translation guide
The English adverb 'intimately' can describe deep familiarity, close personal relationships, or detailed knowledge. Japanese expresses these ideas through different adverbs, verbs, and phrases depending on the nuance.
Describing a close, personal relationship or a deep understanding of someone.
Adverbial form of 親しい, meaning 'closely' or 'intimately' in the sense of a friendly, familiar relationship. Often used with verbs like 話す (talk) or 付き合う (associate).
彼とは親しく話した。
I talked intimately with him.
Means 'intimately' or 'closely,' emphasizing a deep, often emotional bond. Slightly more formal than 親しく.
二人は親密に付き合っている。
The two are intimately involved with each other.
Literally 'to know deeply.' Used when you know someone or something intimately through long experience.
彼女は彼のことを深く知っている。
She knows him intimately.
Describing knowledge of a subject or thing in a thorough, detailed manner.
The most common way to say 'in detail' or 'intimately' regarding knowledge. Used with verbs like 知っている (know) or 説明する (explain).
彼はその問題を詳しく知っている。
He knows the issue intimately.
Means 'to be well-versed in' or 'intimately familiar with' a subject. Often used for expertise.
彼は日本の歴史に精通している。
He is intimately familiar with Japanese history.
Formal/literary term meaning 'to know thoroughly' or 'be intimately acquainted with.' Used in written or formal contexts.
彼はその事実を熟知している。
He is intimately aware of that fact.
Describing something done in a very personal, private, or cozy setting.
Means 'privately' or 'confidentially.' Used when something is shared intimately between a few people.
その話は内密にされた。
The conversation was held intimately.
Describes a small, cozy, intimate setting or gathering. Often used for restaurants or parties.
こぢんまりとしたレストランで食事をした。
We dined intimately at a small restaurant.
The English word 'intimately' covers both emotional closeness and detailed knowledge. In Japanese, these are separate concepts. Using 親しく for knowledge sounds unnatural; use 詳しく instead.