同志
dōshi[do̞ːɕi]
The English phrase 'comrade' can be translated into Japanese as 同志 (dōshi). If unsure, use 同志. Wiktionary also lists 仲間 (nakama) and 同伴者 (dōhansha).
Meaning: mate, companion, or associate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 同志 | dōshi | [do̞ːɕi] (narrow) |
| 仲間 | nakama | [na̠ka̠ma̠] (narrow) |
| 同伴者 | dōhansha | [do̞ːhã̠ɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 同僚 | dōryō | [do̞ːɾʲo̞ː] (narrow) |
It can refer to a person sharing a specific ideology, a person in your social circle or a professional colleague.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 同志 is composed of characters meaning 'same' (同) and 'purpose/will' (志), literally translating to 'person with the same purpose'.
Which one should you use?
同志 refers to people united by a specific political or social ideology. In contrast, 仲間 refers to a social circle or a group of friends and peers. If you are referring specifically to people you work with in a professional setting, use 同僚, which means colleague or coworker. Additionally, 同伴者 can be used to refer to a companion.
How do you pronounce it?
dōshi
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'comrade' for political allies, saying 同志 to a casual friend in Japan might actually sound like you are recruiting them for a revolutionary movement.
- While 仲間 often means 'friends', it can also refer to a 'gang' or a 'clique' in a negative sense, depending on the context.
- The word 同志 was used as a standard title in the Japanese Communist Party, similar to how 'comrade' functioned in the Soviet Union.
Examples in context
- 同志たち、明日の会議に出席してください。Comrades, please attend tomorrow's meeting.
- 私たちは仲間です。共に目標に向かって頑張りましょう。We are comrades. Let's work together towards our goals.
- みんな、仲間として楽しい時間を過ごしましょう！Let's spend some enjoyable time together as comrades!
- 彼は政治的な同志です。Kare wa seijiteki na doushi desu.He is a political comrade.
- 志を同じくする同志を探しています。Kokorozashi o onajiku suru doushi o sagashite imasu.I am looking for comrades with the same ambitions.
- 戦場での同志を忘れない。Senjou de no doushi o wasurenai.I will not forget my comrades on the battlefield.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are discussing their shared goal of starting a business.
- 陽太 Yota美咲、君は最高の同志だよ。Misaki, kimi wa saikō no dōshi dayo.Misaki, you are the best comrade.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、陽太。私もそう思うわ。Arigatō, Yōta. Watashi mo sō omō wa.Thank you, Yota. I feel the same way.
- 陽太 Yota一緒に目標を達成しよう。Issho ni mokuhyō o tassei shiyō.Let's achieve our goal together.
- 美咲 Misakiええ、頑張りましょう！Ee, ganbarimashō!Yes, let's do our best!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comrade” translations and entries 同志, 仲間, 同伴者, 同僚, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
