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顔なじみ (kaonajimi) Japanese meaning: acquaintance | Kotomora
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He and I are already acquainted.
I ran into a familiar face from the neighborhood.
Kanji 馴 get used to, experienced, tamed Related words 顔見知り and 顔なじみ both mean someone you recognize by face, but 顔なじみ implies more repeated, friendly contact (like a regular at a shop) while 顔見知り is more neutral, simple recognition.
知り合い is a general term for anyone you know, while 顔なじみ specifically stresses familiarity gained through seeing someone repeatedly.
常連 refers to a regular customer or patron of a place, whereas 顔なじみ can describe any person you've become familiar with by sight, not just in a shop context.
Written forms 顔かお なじみ Usage 76%
Most common spelling; uses kana for なじみ to avoid rare kanji.
顔かお 馴な 染じ み Usage 20%
Full kanji spelling; less common but still seen.
顔かお 馴な 染じみ Usage 4%
Abbreviated kanji spelling; rare.
Etymology Compound of 顔 (face) and なじみ (familiarity, from verb なじむ 'to become familiar').
