相棒|あいぼうaibou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpartner; pal; accomplice
   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.

• Synonym仲間なかまNeutralBroader than 「相棒」: covers companions and members of a group or circle. 「相棒」 stresses a working partner and the rapport between them.
• SynonymパートナーNeutralLoanword with wide use: business partner, dance partner, lover or spouse. 「相棒」 is specifically the partner you work alongside.
• Synonym伴侶はんりょWrittenWritten/formal prose for a companion, most often a spouse, as in 「人生の伴侶」.
• Related仲良しなかよしCasualColloquial word for a close friend; stresses the intimacy of the relationship, not working together as 「相棒」 does.
• Related親友しんゆうNeutralA close, trusted friend; the bond is personal, and it does not carry the working-partner nuance of 「相棒」.
• Related協力者きょうりょくしゃNeutralA collaborator who helps you get something done; unlike 「相棒」, not necessarily a fixed, ongoing partner.
• Antonym敵てきNeutralAn enemy or foe — the opposite of a partner like 「相棒」.
• AntonymライバルNeutralLoanword for a rival or competitor — the opposite of a partner like 「相棒」.

For a partner you work with, say 「相棒」, as in 「頼れる相棒」 or 「刑事の相棒」. Use 「仲間」 for companions or group members in general, 「パートナー」 for a business partner, dance partner or spouse, and 「親友」 for a close friend. The opposite of a partner is 「ライバル」.

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

1. 一緒いっしょに仕事しごとなどをするときの相方あいかた。