YukaWhat’s the difference between 付き合う and 遊びに行く? They both involve spending time with someone, but the meaning is quite different!
ReiRight! 付き合う means to date or to accompany someone, while 遊びに行く simply means to go hang out — no romantic implication.
| 付き合う (tsukiau) | 遊びに行く (asobi ni iku) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To date; to go along with someone | To hang out; go have fun (casual visit) |
| Romantic? | Yes (in dating context) | No |
| Usage | Dating, accompanying, going along | Casual visit, hanging out with friends |
| Example | 付き合ってください。 | 明日遊びに行ってもいい? |
付き合う — More Than Just Hanging Out
付き合う has two main meanings in modern Japanese:
- To date someone: 付き合ってください。— Please go out with me.
- To accompany/go along with: 付き合ってくれる?— Will you come along with me?
- To put up with / keep someone company: 付き合わせてごめん。— Sorry for dragging you into this.
When used romantically, 付き合う means being in an exclusive relationship. It is the standard way to say “we’re dating.”
遊びに行く — Just Hanging Out
遊びに行く literally means “to go play” but in adult usage it means to visit someone casually or hang out. There is no romantic nuance.
- 今日遊びに行っていい?— Can I come hang out today?
- 友達の家に遊びに行った。— I went to hang out at my friend’s place.
- また遊びに来てね。— Come hang out again sometime!
Key Contrast
| Situation | Natural expression |
|---|---|
| Asking someone to be your boyfriend/girlfriend | 付き合ってください。 |
| Asking a friend to come to your house | 遊びに来て。 |
| Going along with a friend who needs company | 付き合うよ。 |
| Visiting a friend’s house casually | 遊びに行った。 |
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
English speakers may use 遊びに行く in a romantic context thinking it just means “going out.” But in Japanese, 遊びに行く is clearly casual/friendship-level. If you want to ask someone on a date, use デートしませんか or 付き合ってください for a relationship proposal.
Quick Quiz
How do you say “Will you go out with me?” (romantic) in Japanese?
Answer: 付き合ってください。
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