he · that

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 彼 has 8 strokes, the on-reading ひ, and the kun-readings かれ and かの. 彼 (かれ) and 彼女 (かのじょ) refer to people.
• Basic usage: 彼 can mean he or boyfriend, and 彼女 can mean she or girlfriend. Context determines whether a romantic relationship is intended.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Pronouns and romantic partners
  • 彼は図書館で静かに本を読んでいます and 彼女は窓辺で静かに本を読んでいる refer to a man and a woman reading, respectively.
  • Depending on context, 彼と一緒に海辺を散歩しました can describe a walk with a boyfriend, and 彼女と一緒に映画を見に行った can describe seeing a movie with a girlfriend. The written forms 彼 and 彼女 alone do not always establish a romantic relationship.