仲間
nakama[na̠ka̠ma̠]
The Japanese word for mate is 仲間 (nakama).
仲間 is used to describe people you are in the same boat with, such as teammates, colleagues working on a project or fellow travelers. It refers to comrades, teammates or associates.
Meaning: friend (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'mate' can refer to a single friend, 仲間 implies people who share a common goal, task or group membership.
How do you pronounce it?
nakama
Did you know?
- The word 仲間 can also be used to describe a group of criminals or conspirators, such as 'accomplices' in a crime.
- Japanese has a specific term, 飲み仲間 (nomi-nakama), for 'drinking mates'. This refers specifically to people you only associate with for the purpose of drinking alcohol.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in the series 'One Piece', 仲間 carries a spiritual weight closer to 'found family' than just 'comrades'. It implies a bond of absolute loyalty that transcends blood relations.
Examples in context
- 彼は私の友人です。He is my mate/friend.
- 彼は私の仲間です。He is my mate/comrade.
- 彼は俺のマブダチだよ。He's my mate/close friend.
- 私の友人はとても親切です。My mate is very kind.
- 一緒に遊ぼう、マブダチ！Let's hang out together, mate!
- 私たちは最高の仲間です。Watashitachi wa saiko no nakama desu.We are the best mates.
- 彼は苦楽を共にした仲間だ。Kare wa kuraku o tomo ni shita nakama da.He is a mate who shared my joys and sorrows.
- 新しい仲間が増えました。Atarashii nakama ga fuemashita.We have new mates joining us.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are talking about their teammates.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮はいい仲間だね。Ren wa ii nakama dane.Ren, you are a good mate.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。陽葵もだよ。Arigatou. Hiyori mo dayo.Thanks. You too, Hiyori.
- 陽葵 Himari一緒に頑張ろう。Issho ni ganbarou.Let's do our best together.
- 蓮 Ren最高の仲間になろうぜ。Saikou no nakama ni narou ze.Let's be the best mates.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 仲間, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
