How to say "comrade" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 友ともnounCovers 'comrade' only in the loose sense of a friend or companion; its primary sense is 'friend'. Use it when 'comrade' means someone close and trusted, not a fellow worker or political ally.
- 僚友りょうゆうnounCovers 'comrade' in the workplace sense: a fellow worker. Its core meanings are 'colleague' and 'coworker', so it fits when 'comrade' means someone you work alongside rather than a close friend or political ally.
- 仲間なかまnounCovers 'comrade' as a companion or mate: someone who belongs to the same group or shares an activity with you. A natural choice for 'comrades' meaning one's circle of companions or fellow members.
- 同士どうしnoun, noun (suffix)Seldom the word you want for 'comrade'. It really conveys 'fellow' or 'mutual' — people who share the same position or situation and are thought of in relation to each other.
- 同志どうしnounThe word for 'comrade' in the political or ideological sense: someone bound to you by a shared cause or conviction. Its 'kindred soul' sense covers a person of like mind and spirit.彼らは同志である。↗They are in the same camp.
Use 友 when 'comrade' means a friend, 僚友 for a fellow worker, 仲間 for a companion or mate, 同志 for a political or ideological comrade; 同士 really means 'fellow' or 'mutual' and is seldom the answer.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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