How to say "mate" in Japanese

• メートCommon
  nounThe loanword, borrowed directly from English 'mate'. Use it when the English term itself is wanted; for a friend, companion, or fellow, 仲間 is the natural choice.
• 詰みつみCommon
  nounCovers 'mate' in the chess and shogi sense of checkmate — the position where the king is trapped and the game is decided. It is not used for people.
• 仲間なかまJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'mate' meaning a companion, friend, or fellow member of a group — someone who shares what you do. This is the word you want for the social sense of 'mate'.
  田中たなかさんは父ちちのつり仲間なかまの一人ひとりだ。↗

  Mr. Tanaka is one of my father's fishing companions.
• 運転士うんてんしCommon
  nounCovers 'mate' only in the nautical sense — an officer on a ship. It is not the word for a friend or companion; that meaning belongs to 仲間.
• 大統領だいとうりょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThis is the word for 'president'; in familiar language it serves as a jocular form of address meaning 'boss', 'buddy', or 'mate'. For an ordinary friend or companion, this is not the word you want.

For a friend or companion use 仲間; for checkmate in chess or shogi use 「詰み」; for a ship's officer use 運転士; 「メート」 is the borrowed English word itself, and 大統領 is only a jocular term of address.

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

• メートmate
• 詰みつみcheckmate
• 仲間なかまcompanion
• マテmate (drink)
• 航海士こうかいしmate
• 交尾むつるむto copulate (animals)
• ダチfriend
• ナカーマcompanion
• 兄弟きょうだいmate
• 大将たいしょうold chap
• 運転士うんてんしmate (on a ship)
• 大統領だいとうりょうbig man
• つがうto mate