【Q&A】おつきあい・otukiai: meaning

General Q&A

おつきあい・otukiai: Does it mean to date? or just hanging out?

There are 2 distinct meanings and usages for this word.

1. つきあう・Tukiau (with anybody)＝ to have a relationship, to accompany
2. つきあう・Tukiau (romantic relationship)＝ to date, to become boyfriend/girlfriend

How do you know it's #1 or #2?  Sometimes it's obvious, but sometimes not.

つきあう・Tukiau (with anybody) = to accompany, to have a relationship

This can be between friends, colleagues, neighbors.
Common phrases are:

★「じかんある？ちょっとつきあってほしいんだけど」
(Jikan aru? Chotto tukiatte hosiindakedo)
(Do you have time?/Are you free now? I want you to come with me/Can you come with me?)

You are casually asking someone to accompany you somewhere. Here, "Tukiau" means "to accompany" or "to spend time with".

★「かのじょは、きんじょづきあいで いそがしい」
(Kanojo wa kinjo zukiai de isogasii)
(She is busy with her neighbors)       [Tukiai becomes Zukiai for ease of pronunciation]

Here, "Tukiai" is used as a noun. It means general relationship. 

つきあう・Tukiau = to date, to become a boyfriend/girlfriend

You use this word when you are officially asking someone to go out with you, to commit to a relationship. Also, you use this word to say you are in relationship with someone.

Common phrases are:

★「ぼくと、おつきあい してください。」
     (Boku to otukiai site kudasai.) [usually with O+tukiai]
(Please go out with me./Would you be my girlfriend/boyfriend?)

★「XXさんと、おつきあい しています。」
(XXX san to otukiai site imasu.)
(I'm dating XXX. / XXX is my girlfriend/boyfriend.)