同じ

• Reading: おなじ
• Romaji: onaji
• Kanji breakdown: 同 (dō/ona) — same, agree, together
• Pronunciation: /o.na.dʑi/

Meaning

Same; identical; equal. Used to express that two or more things are alike or equivalent.

An unusual adjective that functions as a 連体詞 (pre-noun adjectival), modifying nouns directly without な or の. Can also act as a na-adjective in predicative use with だ/です. Commonly appears in the pattern AとBは同じだ (A and B are the same).

Examples

1. 私たちは同じ学校に通っています。 We go to the same school.
2. この靴と同じ色のかばんがほしいです。 I want a bag in the same color as these shoes.
3. 兄と同じ大学に入りました。 I got into the same university as my older brother.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, daily life, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 同 depicts two mouths (口) sharing the same enclosed space, representing agreement and sameness. One of the earliest and most fundamental kanji in Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal