連帯

• Reading: れんたい
• Romaji: rentai
• Kanji breakdown: 連 (ren) — connect, link; 帯 (tai) — belt, band
• Pronunciation: /ɾeɴ.ta.i/

Meaning

Solidarity; joint responsibility. Standing together as a united group.

A noun and suru-verb with two related senses: emotional solidarity (people standing together in mutual support) and legal joint liability (連帯責任 — shared responsibility, 連帯保証人 — joint guarantor). The solidarity sense is common in social movements and political speech; the legal sense appears in contracts and law.

Examples

1. 被災地の人々と連帯して支援を続けたい。 I want to keep supporting the people in the disaster-stricken area in solidarity with them.
2. チームの連帯感がこの試合の勝利につながった。 The team's sense of solidarity led to the victory in this game.
3. 連帯責任を負うことを契約書で確認した。 I confirmed in the contract that I would bear joint liability.

Usage Guide

Context: social movements, law, teamwork, politics

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 連 (ren, to connect/link) + 帯 (tai, belt/band/to wear). Literally 'linked by a belt,' evoking the image of people bound together in unity or shared obligation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal