How to say "partner" in Japanese

• 相手あいてJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe person on the other side of an interaction — someone you talk, play or compete with. It can also mean an opponent, so it suits 'partner' in senses like a game or conversation partner.
  あなたのダンスの相手あいてはだれですか。↗

  Who is your dance partner?
• 相棒あいぼうCommon
  nounA close partner in some activity or scheme — the buddy at your side, as in detective duos or crime pairs. It also covers 'accomplice', and often carries a tone of trust or camaraderie.
  こいつ、さっきまで俺おれの相棒あいぼうだったのに、もう寝返ねがえりやがった。↗

  This rat, up until just now he was my partner and now he's gone and turned on me.
• 伴侶はんりょCommon
  nounA partner in the sense of a spouse or mate for life — the person one shares a life with. This is the word for 'partner' when talking about a husband, wife, or lifelong companion.
  二人ふたりは伴侶はんりょ三さん人にんは仲間割なかまわれ。↗

  Two is company, but three is none.
• 同類どうるいCommon
  no-adjectiveReally means 'the same kind (of person)'; its 'partner' sense is an accomplice or cohort, often with a critical nuance. Seldom the word you want for an ordinary partner.
  石炭せきたんは化学的かがくてきにダイヤと同類どうるいである。↗

  Coal is chemically allied to diamonds.
• 仲間なかまJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA companion, mate or fellow member of a group — friends, teammates, comrades. It expresses belonging to a group rather than a one-to-one pairing, so it is not the usual choice for a two-person 'partner'.
  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.

Use 相手 for the person on the other side of an interaction, 相棒 for a close working partner, 伴侶 for a spouse or life companion, 仲間 for a group companion, and 同類 mainly for 'someone of the same kind'.

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

• 相手あいてcompanion
• 相棒あいぼうpartner
• 伴侶はんりょcompanion
• 同類どうるいthe same kind
• 仲間なかまcompanion
• 配偶者はいぐうしゃspouse
• 相方あいかたpartner (esp. in manzai)
• 相肩あいかたpartner
• 相手役あいてやくopposing role
• ペアを組むペアをくむto form a pair (pairs)
• 交際相手こうさいあいてperson one is dating
• ダンスパートナーdance partner
• バディbuddy
• ナカーマcompanion
• パートナー(dance) partner
• 配偶はいぐうspouse
• 相番あいばんpartner
• 片棒担ぎかたぼうかつぎpartner (in crime)