彼

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 彼 is read as かれ and functions as a pronoun or noun meaning either “he” or, depending on context, “boyfriend.”
• Basic usage: Distinguish 彼は本を読んでいる for a known male person from 彼と海辺を歩く for a romantic partner.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Pronoun and boyfriend
  • The library context uses “he,” while the weekend walk supplies the relationship sense “boyfriend.”
• Role marked by particles
  • 彼は makes the man the topic, whereas 彼と identifies the person accompanying the speaker.