仲間

• Reading: なかま
• Romaji: nakama
• Kanji breakdown: 仲 (naka) — relationship, middle; 間 (ma) — interval, between
• Pronunciation: /na.ka.ma/

Meaning

Companion; colleague; fellow; associate. People who share a common purpose, activity, or group membership.

A noun referring to people who belong to the same group, share a common goal, or work together. 仲間 carries a warm, inclusive nuance — stronger than just a coworker but not necessarily a close friend. Commonly used in work, sports, and hobby contexts. Expressions include 仲間に入る (to join a group) and 仲間外れ (exclusion from a group).

Examples

1. サッカーの仲間と週末に練習している。 I practice on weekends with my soccer buddies.
2. 仕事の仲間に誕生日を祝ってもらった。 My work colleagues threw me a birthday party.
3. 新しい仲間が加わって、チームが強くなった。 A new member joined and the team got stronger.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, sports, hobbies

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Composed of 仲 (relationship, middle, between) and 間 (interval, between). The combination evokes people who are between each other — connected through shared bonds.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal