Translation guide
The English word 'same' is used to express that two or more things are identical, not different, or unchanged. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 同じ (onaji), but the natural way to express 'same' depends on the grammatical role and context. This guide covers the main uses: describing identical things, saying 'the same as', expressing 'same here/me too', and fixed phrases.
To say that two or more things are the same, identical, or not different from each other.
This is the most common and versatile word for 'same'. It is a na-adjective but often used attributively without な. It can modify nouns directly or be used in predicates.
私たちは同じ学校に通っています。
We go to the same school.
この二つの箱は同じ大きさです。
These two boxes are the same size.
A more formal word meaning 'identical' or 'the very same'. Often used in official or technical contexts.
同一人物による犯行の可能性が高い。
There is a high possibility that the crime was committed by the same person.
Means 'similar' or 'alike', but often used to mean 'same' in the sense of 'in the same way' or 'likewise'. It is a na-adjective.
前回と同様の手続きでお願いします。
Please follow the same procedure as last time.
To express that something is the same as something else, using a comparison structure.
The standard pattern for 'A is the same as B'. と marks the thing being compared to. In polite speech, だ becomes です.
この本はあの本と同じです。
This book is the same as that book.
彼の意見は私のと同じだ。
His opinion is the same as mine.
Used to say 'A is about the same C as B' or 'A is as C as B'. くらい means 'approximately' or 'degree'.
この車はあの車と同じくらい速い。
This car is as fast as that car.
To agree with someone's statement by saying you feel the same way or have the same thing.
A polite and common way to say 'I feel the same' or 'Same here'. 私も means 'me too' and 同じです means 'it's the same'.
A: この映画、面白かったね。B: 私も同じです。
A: This movie was interesting, wasn't it? B: Same here.
A more casual, shorter way to say 'same here' or 'likewise'. Often used in informal conversation.
A: お腹すいた。B: 同じく。
A: I'm hungry. B: Same.
To say that something remains the same, has not changed, or is still the same as before.
Means 'as ever', 'as usual', or 'still the same'. Often used to describe a person or situation that hasn't changed.
彼は相変わらず忙しい。
He is busy as ever.
相変わらずですね。
You haven't changed a bit. / Same as always.
Literally 'without changing', used to say something remains the same. Often in set phrases like 変わらずお元気ですか (I hope you are well as always).
彼女の笑顔は昔と変わらず美しい。
Her smile is as beautiful as ever.
Common English expressions using 'same' and their natural Japanese equivalents.
An idiom meaning 'birds of a feather' or 'they are all the same (in a negative sense)'. Literally 'badgers from the same hole'.
あの二人は同じ穴の狢だ。
Those two are birds of a feather.
While 同じです is correct, in very casual conversation, simply saying 私も (me too) or こちらこそ (likewise) might be more natural depending on the context. 同じく is a casual alternative.
同じ is the everyday word for 'same'. 同一 is formal and emphasizes exact identity, often used in legal or technical contexts. 同様 means 'similar' or 'in the same manner', and is often used in set phrases like 同様に (in the same way).
私たちは同じ意見です。
We have the same opinion.
前と同じです。
It's the same as before.
An idiom meaning 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' or 'there is no difference'. Literally 'fifty steps, one hundred steps'.
どちらの案も五十歩百歩だ。
Both proposals are much the same.