How to say "identical" in Japanese

• 同じおなじJLPT N5approx.Common
  prenominal modifier, na-adjectiveThe general-purpose word for 'the same'. It covers most ordinary uses of 'identical' — matching items, shared opinions, things that do not differ — without stressing exact, point-for-point sameness.
  ジャズが使つかう音符おんぷは、バッハが使つかったのと同おなじだ↗

  Jazz uses the same notes that Bach used.
• 等しいひとしいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'identical' as 'equal': two things that are the same in value, quantity, or degree. It states equality as a measured fact rather than describing a general likeness.
  １ヤードは３フィートに等ひとしい。↗

  A yard is equal to three feet.
• 同一どういつJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveThe strictest choice: it presents two things as one and the same, not merely alike. Fits contexts like confirming that two descriptions refer to one and the same person or thing.
  これは私が先日せんじつなくしたのと同一どういつの鉛筆えんぴつである。↗

  This is the same pencil that I lost the other day.
• 一様いちようJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveSeldom the word you want for 'identical'. It really means 'uniform': a whole group being even and unvaried, with no differences among its members, rather than two things matching exactly.
• そっくりJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjectiveA mimetic word for exact likeness, especially in appearance: someone who is the spitting image of another, or two things that are exactly alike. It suggests striking resemblance rather than abstract sameness.
  あなたはお母かあさんにそっくりね。↗

  You look just like your mother.

Choose 「同じ」 for everyday sameness, 「等しい」 for equality in value or quantity, 同一 for strictly one and the same, 「そっくり」 for exact likeness in appearance, and avoid 一様, which really means uniform.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 同じおなじsame
• 等しいひとしいequal
• 同一どういつidentical
• 一様いちようuniform
• アイデンティカルidentical
• 一卵性いちらんせいidentical (of twins)
• クリソツthe spitting image of
• 寸分違わぬすんぶんたがわぬexactly the same
• 同じいおなじいsame
• 瓜二つうりふたつexactly alike (in appearance)
• 一緒いっしょthe same
• そっくりexactly alike (e.g. in appearance)