面識

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 面識 (めんしき) is a noun for prior acquaintance sufficient to recognize or know someone from an earlier meeting.
• Basic usage: 面識がある and 面識がない state whether people have a prior acquaintance with one another.
  • 彼とは以前の会議で一度会っており、面識がある。 — I know him from meeting once at a previous conference.
  • 容疑者と被害者に面識はなかった。 — The suspect and victim had never met.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Acquaintance and friendship
  • 面識がある may mean only that two people recognize each other. It does not by itself imply friendship or a close relationship.