相手|あいてaite[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nouncompanion; partner; company
   あなたのダンスの相手あいてはだれですか。↗

   Who is your dance partner?
2. nounother party; addressee; counterparty
   あいつは海千山千うみせんやませんだから、取り引とりひき相手あいてとしてはかなり手強てごわいぞ。↗

   All those tricks he's got up his sleeve make him a formidable client.
3. nounopponent (sports, etc.)
   そのボクサーは第だい１ラウンドで相手あいてを倒たおすつもりだと言いった。↗

   The boxer said he would knock down his opponent in the first round.

• Synonym相手方あいてかたFormalThe other party in negotiations, lawsuits, or contracts; mostly in legal and business documents. More formal than 「相手」.
• Related敵てきNeutralAn enemy or opponent in battle or a match, with a hostile nuance; 「相手」 is neutral and can also mean a partner or someone you date.
• RelatedライバルNeutralA rival competing for the same goal, often with a friendly, healthy-competition feel. 「相手」 works even where no competition is involved.
• Related敵手てきしゅWrittenA written word for an opponent or enemy; also used in 「敵手に落ちる」 (fall into enemy hands). In daily speech say 「相手」 or 「ライバル」.
• Related競争相手きょうそうあいてNeutralSpecifically someone competing with you for the same goal, e.g. a rival firm or a fellow exam candidate. 「相手」 itself is not limited to competition.
• Related対戦相手たいせんあいてNeutralRefers only to the side you face in a game or match. 「相手」 also covers partners in chatting, marriage, and much else.
• Related敵人てきじんWrittenA written word for an enemy on the battlefield, or a competitor; it sounds stiff, and in everyday speech 「敵」 is the usual choice.
• Related競合者きょうごうしゃWrittenA written-style word for anyone competing for the same goal or interest; daily speech prefers 「競争相手」 or 「ライバル」. 「相手」 is not limited to competition.
• Related対抗馬たいこうばNeutralLiterally a horse racing against the favorite; figuratively, a rival challenging a strong candidate in an election or similar contest.
• Antonym自分じぶんNeutralOneself; it stands opposite 「相手」 as the side performing an action versus the other side.

Use 「相手」 for anyone you do something with or deal with — a partner, companion, or the person you date. For a hostile opponent say 「敵」; for a rival you compete with, 「ライバル」; for the side you face in a game, 「対戦相手」; in legal or business documents, 「相手方」.

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

1. 自分じぶんと物事ものごとをする人ひと。
2. 結婚けっこんや交際こうさいの対象たいしょう。
3. 対立たいりつして争あらそう人ひとや集団しゅうだん。
4. 世話せわをすること。面倒めんどうを見みること。対応たいおうすること。
5. 対象たいしょうとすること。