相棒
aibō[a̠ibo̞ː]
In Japanese, the word for buddy is 相棒 (aibō).
相棒 (aibō) is most commonly used to describe a partner in a specific activity. This might be a professional partner, a sidekick or a constant companion in a game or a specific task.
Meaning: friend or casual acquaintance (pron)
Which one should you use?
For an informal term referring to a buddy or comrade that implies a close bond and shared experiences, you might also use 仲間 (nakama).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Addressing someone directly as 相棒 is quite informal and often carries a slightly cinematic or dramatic tone, similar to calling someone 'partner' in English.
How do you pronounce it?
aibō
Did you know?
- The word 相棒 originally referred to the second person helping to carry a kago, which was a traditional Japanese sedan chair suspended from a long pole.
- Because it implies a functional partnership, 相棒 can be used for a non-human companion, such as a favorite tool or a loyal pet.
- In Japanese pop culture, 相棒 is the title of one of the longest-running and most famous police procedural dramas in Japan.
Examples in context
- 仲間と共に目標に向かって頑張ろう！Let's work hard together with our buddies towards our goals!
- サッカーの試合、仲間と盛り上がろう！Let's get excited with our soccer buddies during the match!
- 彼は俺の最高の相棒だ。Kare wa ore no saikou no aibou da.He is my best buddy.
- 相棒、準備はいいか？Aibou, junbi wa ii ka?Buddy, are you ready?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are working together on a difficult project.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、君は俺の相棒だよ。Yui, kimi wa ore no aibou da yo.Yui, you are my buddy.
- 結衣 Yuiそんな、照れるじゃないですか。Sonna, tereru janai desu ka.Oh, stop it, you're making me blush.
- 蓮 Ren本心だよ、相棒。Honshin da yo, aibou.I mean it, buddy.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます、蓮さん。Arigatou gozaimasu, Ren-san.Thank you, Ren.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 相棒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 相棒, CC BY-SA 4.0.
