Japanese word

相手

Pronunciation

Romajiaite

Meaning

  • nouncompanion, partner

Example

旅行の相手は姉です。ryo kō no ai te wa ane de su

My travel companion is my older sister.

Illustration for 相手 (companion)

More examples

一緒に遊ぶ相手がいます。is sho ni aso bu ai te ga i ma su

I have a partner to play with.

祖父はいつも私の相手をしてくれます。so fu wa i tsu mo watashi no ai te o shi te ku re ma su

My grandfather always keeps me company.

Core concept

相手 (aite) denotes the person on the other side of a shared situation, whether that person is a partner, companion, or opponent.

Common phrases

  • 相手になるai te ni na ru

    be a match

  • 相手にするai te ni su ru

    deal with someone

  • 話し相手hana shi ai te

    conversation partner

  • 相談相手sō dan ai te

    someone to consult

Similar words

連れtsure: A person who goes somewhere or does something with another person.
相棒aibō: A trusted partner who works or acts closely with another person.
仲間nakama: A person who belongs to the same group or shares an activity.

Definition in Japanese

自分と関係を持ち、味方として共にいることも敵として向き合うこともある人。ji bun to kan kei o mo chi mi kata to shi te tomo ni i ru ko to mo teki to shi te mu ki a u ko to mo a ru hito

Word origin

相手 (aite) is a native Japanese noun that developed from あひて (ahite), an older form related to 会う (au, "to meet").

Usage tips

  • In 相手がいる (aite ga iru), context can indicate a romantic partner, but the noun itself does not specifically mean a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Other meanings

  • opponentnoun

Word lists with this word