同調

• Reading: どうちょう
• Romaji: douchou
• Kanji breakdown: 同 (dou/onaji) — same, together; 調 (chou/shirabu) — tune, harmony, to adjust
• Pronunciation: /doː.tɕoː/

Meaning

Sympathy; agreement; conformity; going along with others. Also used technically for resonance or tuning to the same frequency.

A noun and suru-verb (同調する) with two related senses: (1) social conformity or agreement with someone's views — 同調圧力 (peer pressure to conform) and 同調する (to go along with); and (2) resonance or synchronisation in physics and electronics. In social contexts, 同調 often carries a slightly negative nuance of uncritical conformity, contrasting with 共感 (genuine empathy).

Examples

1. 周囲の意見に無条件に同調するのではなく、自分の考えを持つことが大切だ。 Rather than blindly conforming to the opinions of those around you, it is important to think for yourself.
2. 彼は反対意見を持ちながらも、場の雰囲気に同調してしまった。 Although he held a dissenting opinion, he ended up going along with the mood of the group.
3. 集団の同調圧力が個人の創造性を妨げることがある。 Peer pressure to conform can stifle individual creativity.

Usage Guide

Context: social psychology, group dynamics, engineering, everyday speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 同 (dou) — same, together — and 調 (chou) — tune, harmony, to adjust. Expresses alignment with the same tone, position, or frequency as another.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal