同朋|どうぼうdoubou

1. nouncompanions; fellows

• Related仲間なかまNeutralThe most general word for companions you do things with or others of the same kind. 「同朋」 is more written and also historically meant the 「同朋衆」.
• Related友達ともだちNeutralFriend; the everyday word, most common in speech. Unlike 「同朋」 it does not carry the nuance of fellow or comrade.
• Related友人ゆうじんWrittenWritten and formal word for a friend, as in 「友人代表」.
• Related友ともWrittenWritten word for a friend with a literary flavor, as in 「生涯の友」.
• Related朋友ほうゆうWrittenWritten, Chinese-style word for a friend; little used.
• RelatedフレンドNeutralLoanword for friend, used mostly in games and product names.
• Related友垣ともがきWrittenWritten and archaic word for a close friend, seen mainly in songs and poetry.
• Related友朋ゆうほうWrittenWritten word for a friend, very rare; synonymous with 「朋友」.
• Antonym他人たにんNeutralOther people, outsiders; the opposite of 「同朋」's sense of one's own companions.

Say 「仲間」 for companions you do things with and 「友達」 for friends. 「同朋」 is a written word for companions and friends in general, and historically also meant the shogun's attendants, the 「同朋衆」. For outsiders say 「他人」. 「友人」, 「友」 and the rest are written or specialized alternatives for friend.

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

1. 仲間なかま。友達ともだち。
2. 足利あしかが将軍家しょうぐんけに近侍きんじした僧形そうぎょうの家臣かしん。同朋どうほう衆しゅう。
3. 寺院じいんなどで輿こしを担かつぐ人ひと。
4. （仏教ぶっきょう）禅宗ぜんしゅうの供とも法師ほうし。