昔馴染み

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 昔馴染み is read むかしなじみ and means a longtime acquaintance or a longstanding relationship.
• Basic usage: It describes an old acquaintance encountered while traveling or a long relationship between a shopkeeper and someone's father.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Person and relationship
  • In 昔馴染みに出会う, the person met is a longtime acquaintance.
  • 二人は昔馴染みだ states that two people have known each other for a long time.
• Knowing someone since childhood
  • 幼馴染み refers to a relationship dating from childhood. 昔馴染み can refer more broadly to longstanding familiarity.