Japanese word

お供

Pronunciation

Romajiotomo

Meaning

  • nouncompanion

Example

母のお供で病院へ行きます。haha no o tomo de byō in e i ki ma su

I go to the hospital as my mother's companion.

Illustration for お供 (companion)

More examples

長い旅には、好きな音楽をお供にすると気分が明るくなります。naga i tabi ni wa su ki na on gaku o o tomo ni su ru to ki bun ga aka ru ku na ri ma su

Taking my favorite music along on a long trip puts me in a better mood.

Core concept

Centers on accompanying someone and being present with them as a companion or attendant.

Common phrases

  • 旅のお供tabi no o tomo

    travel companion

  • お供をするo tomo o su ru

    accompany ___

Similar words

同行者dōkōsha: A person who goes somewhere with another person.
付き添いtsukisoi: A person who stays with and cares for someone who needs help.
同伴者dōhansha: A person who accompanies another person to a place or event.
連れtsure: A person who goes somewhere together with another person in informal speech.

Definition in Japanese

人に付き添ってともに行動する者。hito ni tsu ki so tte to mo ni kō dō su ru mono

Word origin

お供 (otomo) is formed from お (o), an honorific prefix, and とも (tomo, "companion"); the latter is written with 供 (tomo).

Usage tips

  • In polite Japanese, お供します (otomo shimasu) is a humble way for a speaker to offer to accompany someone.

Other meanings

  • attendantnoun

Related words

  • お供するokyōsuruaccompanyverb

Word lists with this word