Japanese Equivalent of the Word “Same“90

Introduction

The concept of "same" is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and language. It allows us to compare and contrast objects, ideas, and experiences, and to make judgments about their similarities and differences. In Japanese, there are several words that can be used to express the idea of "same," each with its own subtle nuances and usage patterns.

Main Words for "Same"

The most common Japanese word for "same" is 同じ (おなじ, onaji). This word is used to indicate the identity or equivalence of two or more things, and can be used in a variety of contextos. For example, we can say:
この本はあの本と同じだ。(This book is the same as that book.)
私はあなたと同じ意見です。(I have the same opinion as you.)
昨日と今日は同じ天気だ。(Yesterday's weather is the same as today's.)

Another common word for "same" is 同様 (どうよう, dōyō). This word is used to indicate that two or more things are similar in nature or quality, but not necessarily identical. For example, we can say:
この車はあの車と同様に赤い。(This car is red, similar to that car.)
この映画はあの映画と同様に面白いです。(This movie is interesting, similar to that movie.)
この料理はあの料理と同様に辛い。(This dish is spicy, similar to that dish.)

A third word for "same" is 同一 (どういつ, dōitsu). This word is used to indicate that two or more things are exactly the same, without any differences whatsoever. It is often used in legal or formal contexts, such as:
この書類は原本と同一です。(This document is identical to the original.)
この製品は他の製品と同一の仕様です。(This product has the same specifications as other products.)
この契約は双方が同一の権利と義務を有します。(This contract gives both parties the same rights and obligations.)

Other Nuances of "Same"

In addition to these main words for "same," there are a number of other Japanese words that can be used to express similar concepts. For example:
同じように (おなじように, onajiyōni): in the same way
同じような (おなじような, onajiyōna): similar
同じ頃 (おなじころ, onajikoro): around the same time
同じくらい (おなじくらい, onajikurai): to the same extent
同じ場所 (おなじばしょ, onajiba

2025-02-07

Previous：German Prefixes with “Er-“

Next：German Pronunciation Made Easy: A Comprehensive Guide to German Word Pronunciation