供・伴・侶|ともtomo[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
供供 is the most common written form of this word. It is written solely in kanji and is the form you are most likely to encounter.
伴伴 is the second most common written form. For beginners, use 伴 by default; it is also written solely in kanji.
侶侶 is the least common of the three written forms. It is written solely in kanji and is a less common variant to recognize rather than choose by default.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbcompanion; follower; attendant; retinue
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 供する（ともする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 供します（ともします） |
| Negative (nai) | 供しない（ともしない） |
| polite (masen) | 供しません（ともしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 供せず・供せぬ（ともせず・ともせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 供した（ともした） |
| polite (mashita) | 供しました（ともしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 供しなかった（ともしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 供しませんでした（ともしませんでした） |
| Te form | 供して（ともして） |
| Potential | 供できる（ともできる） |
| Passive | 供される（ともされる） |
| Causative | 供させる（ともさせる） |
| Causative passive | 供させられる（ともさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 供すれば（ともすれば） |
| tara | 供したら（ともしたら） |
| Volitional | 供しよう（ともしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 供しましょう（ともしましょう） |
| Imperative | 供しろ（ともしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym付き添いつきそいNeutralAccompanying or looking after someone, especially a sick person or child, as in 「付き添いの家族」; 「供」 is about attendants following a master on an outing.
- Synonym従者じゅうしゃWrittenA servant or retainer, stressing the master-servant relationship, as in 「主人と従者」.
- Synonym随行ずいこうNeutralThe act of accompanying someone, as in 「首相に随行する」; stresses the action rather than the person.
- Synonymお供おともNeutralA politer way of saying 「供」; an attendant or companion, common in speech, as in 「お供します」.
- Synonymお付きおつきNeutralA personal attendant, stressing someone at the side of a person of high rank, as in 「お付きの者」.
- Related付け人つけびとNeutralAn assistant to sumo wrestlers or entertainers, stressing care of daily needs; 「供」 is a general word for attendants.
- Related付き人つきびとNeutralA personal assistant to entertainers or sumo wrestlers, the same as 「付け人」; 「供」 is a general word for attendants.
- Related随員ずいいんWrittenA member of a diplomatic mission or similar party; formal, stressing official accompaniment.
- Related付き添い人つきそいにんNeutralAn accompanying person; a descriptive term stressing the caregiving role, e.g. attending a patient.
- RelatedおそばNeutralOne's side or vicinity, and by extension a close attendant; honorific tone, as in 「お側に仕える」.
- RelatedおとぎWrittenKeeping someone company, telling stories; also a fairy tale. Archaic, stressing nighttime companionship.
- Related伽とぎWrittenNursing or attending to the sick or elderly; archaic, stressing staying at someone's side.
- Related供人ともびとWrittenAn old word for a companion or follower, now very rarely seen; in daily speech say 「お供」.
- Related侍者じしゃWrittenSomeone doing odd jobs at a noble's or teacher's side; also an altar boy or acolyte. Written style.
- Related随行員ずいこういんWrittenAccompanying staff; formal, used mostly for diplomatic visits.
- Related陪従ばいじゅうWrittenServing and accompanying a person of high rank; rare written word stressing attendance on the noble.
- Related随従ずいじゅうWrittenFollowing or deferring to another; written style, stressing trailing after someone.
- Related随身ずいじんWrittenA bodyguard of nobles; a historical term, also the guardian statues at shrine gates.
- Related随伴者ずいはんしゃWrittenOne who accompanies; rare written word stressing travelling together.
- Antonym単独たんどくNeutralBeing alone or single; the opposite of 「供」, which implies having attendants along.
- Antonym単身たんしんNeutralGoing somewhere all alone, as in 「単身赴任」; the opposite of 「供」 with its attendants.
For an attendant following a master on an outing, everyday speech uses 「お供」, as in 「お供します」 or 「お供を連れる」. For accompanying or caring for a patient or child, say 「付き添い」; for an entertainer's or sumo wrestler's assistant, 「付き人」; for members of a diplomatic party, 「随員」. The opposites are 「単独」 and 「単身」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
