Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'colleague' depends on the relationship and context. The most common term is 同僚 (どうりょう), but in workplace settings, people often use more specific terms like 先輩 (せんぱい) for senior colleagues or 後輩 (こうはい) for junior colleagues. When referring to colleagues in your own company to outsiders, use 社員 (しゃいん) or 会社の人 (かいしゃのひと).
Referring to a person you work with, without specifying seniority or relationship to the speaker.
The standard, neutral term for a colleague or coworker. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は私の同僚です。
He is my colleague.
同僚と昼食を食べました。
I had lunch with a colleague.
Literally 'work companion', this term emphasizes camaraderie and is slightly more casual than 同僚.
彼は信頼できる仕事仲間です。
He is a reliable colleague.
Specifies 'company colleague', useful when clarifying the context.
会社の同僚と飲みに行きました。
I went out for drinks with a colleague from work.
Referring to a colleague who is senior to you in age, experience, or position.
Used for a senior colleague, mentor, or someone who entered the company/school before you. Very common in workplace and school settings.
先輩に仕事を教えてもらいました。
A senior colleague taught me the work.
田中先輩はとても親切です。
Tanaka-senpai is very kind.
Referring to a colleague who is junior to you in age, experience, or position.
Used for a junior colleague or someone who entered the company/school after you. Common in workplace and school settings.
後輩の面倒を見るのは先輩の役目です。
It's a senior's role to look after junior colleagues.
新しい後輩が入ってきました。
A new junior colleague has joined.
Referring to a colleague who works closely with you in the same section or team.
Literally 'person from the same department'. A natural way to refer to a departmental colleague.
同じ部署の人とプロジェクトを進めています。
I'm working on a project with a colleague from my department.
Borrowed from English, used for team members in a project or work group.
チームメンバーと毎日ミーティングをしています。
I have daily meetings with my team members.
Referring to colleagues in your own company when talking to someone from outside the company.
Means 'employee' or 'staff member'. Used to refer to colleagues in your company when speaking to clients or outsiders. Note: 社員 can also mean employees in general, but context clarifies.
弊社の社員がご説明いたします。
Our colleague will explain. (formal, to a client)
Casual way to say 'someone from my company'. Used in informal conversations with outsiders.
昨日、会社の人と飲みに行ったんだ。
I went out drinking with a colleague from work yesterday.
Referring to someone in the same profession or field, like a fellow doctor, lawyer, or teacher.
Means 'person in the same industry or profession'. Used for colleagues across different workplaces.
同業者との交流会に参加しました。
I attended a networking event with fellow professionals.
Means 'comrade' or 'fellow'. Can be used for colleagues in a professional or creative field, implying solidarity.
When speaking to someone outside your company, avoid using 私の同僚 (わたしのどうりょう) as it can sound like you are elevating your colleague. Instead, use 社員 (しゃいん) or 会社の者 (かいしゃのもの) to be humble.
こちらは私の同僚です。
This is my colleague. (sounds self-centered when speaking to a client)
こちらは弊社の社員です。
This is a colleague from our company. (appropriate with outsiders)
先輩 (せんぱい) and 後輩 (こうはい) imply a hierarchical relationship based on seniority, while 同僚 (どうりょう) implies equal standing. Use 同僚 when seniority is irrelevant or unknown, or when you want to emphasize equality.
In Japanese workplaces, it's common to refer to colleagues by their last name + さん (e.g., 田中さん) or by their title (e.g., 部長). This is often more natural than using a generic word for 'colleague'.
彼は医者仲間です。
He is a fellow doctor.