彼
Meanings
1
Standard third-person masculine pronoun. Used for males in both spoken and written Japanese. Can sound blunt or literary when used directly to address someone; in conversation, names or titles are often preferred.
See also: 彼女
He is my older brother.
I met him yesterday.
2
Informal noun meaning 'boyfriend'. Often used with possessive 私の or in contexts where the romantic relationship is clear. 彼氏 is a more common and unambiguous term for 'boyfriend'.
See also: 彼氏
I heard she got a boyfriend.
I have a date with my boyfriend this weekend.
Usage patterns
- 彼ができるto get a boyfriend
I finally got a boyfriend last year.
- 彼と付き合うto be dating one's boyfriend
I've been dating my boyfriend for three years now.
- 彼と別れるto break up with one's boyfriend
She's been down since she broke up with her boyfriend.
Expressions
- 彼なりin his own way; peculiar to him
- 彼個人he himself · his personal
- 誰彼なしにto anyone; to whomever; indiscriminately
- 誰彼かまわずindiscriminately; regardless of who it is; anyone and everyone
- 各人に彼のものをto each his own; may all get their due
- 彼を知り己を知れば、百戦殆からずknow your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles