Yuka連れ vs 〜達 — these two words look unrelated, but both show up in Japanese words related to people and companions. Let's explore 連れ (companion) and the plural suffix 〜達 together!
ReiUnderstanding 連れ and 〜達 will help you talk about friends, companions, and groups of people much more naturally in Japanese.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 連れ | つれ | Companion, someone with you | Person accompanying you; someone you're with |
| 〜達 | 〜たち | Plural suffix for people | Added to pronouns/nouns to make them plural: 私達、友達、子供達 |
連れ (つれ) — Companion / Someone With You
連れ means a companion or person accompanying you — someone you're going somewhere with or who is with you. It comes from 連れる (to take someone along / to accompany).
- 連れがいる — I have someone with me
- 連れと一緒に行く — to go with a companion
- 子供連れ — with children (family with kids)
- 連れ立って歩く — to walk together / side by side
- 連れていく — to take (someone) along
Yuka今日はレストランに連れがいるので、2名でお願いします。
I have a companion with me today, so a table for two please.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 子供連れのご家族がたくさんいた。 | There were many families with children. |
| 連れを待っています。 | I'm waiting for my companion. |
| 彼女を映画に連れて行った。 | I took her to the movies. |
〜達 (〜たち) — Plural Suffix for People
〜達 is a suffix added to pronouns or nouns to make them plural or indicate a group. It's specifically for people (and sometimes animals).
- 私達 (わたしたち) — we / us
- あなた達 — you (plural)
- 子供達 (こどもたち) — children (the children)
- 友達 (ともだち) — friend(s) — from 友 (friend) + 達
- 先生達 — the teachers
Rei友達 (ともだち) is actually 友 + 達 — the kanji 友 means friend, and 達 originally pluralized it. But 友達 is now a single word meaning 'friend' (singular or plural). You can say 友達が一人いる (I have one friend) — 達 doesn't always force a plural meaning.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 私達はチームです。 | We are a team. |
| 子供達が公園で遊んでいる。 | The children are playing in the park. |
| 先生達に挨拶した。 | I greeted the teachers. |
Related: 連れ Compound Words
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 子供連れ | With children; family with kids |
| 連れ立つ | To go together; to accompany each other |
| 連れていく | To take someone along |
| 連れてくる | To bring someone along |
| 連れ合い (つれあい) | Spouse / life partner (old-fashioned but warm) |
Quick Quiz
Choose 連れ or 〜達:
- 今日は___がいるので2名席をお願いします。→ 連れ
- 子供___が笑いながら走っている。→ 達 (子供達)
- 私___で決めます。→ 達 (私達)
- 彼女を映画に___ていった。→ 連れ (連れていった)
More Japanese Lessons
📖 Want to take your Japanese further? Practice speaking with a professional Japanese tutor on italki — affordable 1-on-1 online lessons at your own pace.