相手

• Reading: あいて
• Romaji: aite
• Kanji breakdown: 相 (ai) — mutual, together; 手 (te) — hand, person
• Pronunciation: /a.i.te/

Meaning

Partner; companion; opponent; the other party. The person one is dealing with, talking to, or competing against.

A highly versatile noun whose meaning shifts with context. 相手 can mean a romantic partner (結婚相手), a conversation partner (話し相手), an opponent (試合の相手), or simply the other party in any interaction. It always implies a relationship or interaction between two sides. Common collocations include 相手にする (to deal with) and 相手の立場 (the other person's position).

Examples

1. テニスの試合の相手はとても強かった。 My opponent in the tennis match was very strong.
2. 話し相手がいると寂しくない。 Having someone to talk to keeps you from feeling lonely.
3. 相手の気持ちを考えることが大切だ。 It's important to consider the other person's feelings.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, relationships, sports, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 相 (mutual, together) and 手 (hand, person). Together they suggest the person on the other hand — the one you face or interact with.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal