Translation guide
This guide helps you express the idea of 'same kind' or 'same type' in Japanese. The most common and versatile way is using 同じ種類 (onaji shurui), but there are other expressions depending on context and formality.
To say that two or more things are of the same kind, type, or category.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'same kind'. 同じ (onaji) means 'same', and 種類 (shurui) means 'kind/type'. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
これは昨日買ったのと同じ種類のペンです。
This is the same kind of pen I bought yesterday.
同じ種類の花が庭にたくさん咲いている。
Many flowers of the same kind are blooming in the garden.
Uses the loanword タイプ (taipu) for 'type'. Slightly more casual and often used for categorizing people or things by characteristics.
彼は私と同じタイプの人間だ。
He is the same type of person as me.
A more formal, written term meaning 'same kind' or 'same species'. Often used in technical, scientific, or academic contexts.
この実験では同種の材料を使用した。
In this experiment, we used materials of the same kind.
To emphasize that something is similar in nature or character, not just category.
Means 'similar' or 'of the same kind'. ような (yō na) adds a nuance of 'like' or 'similar to'. It's very common in everyday speech.
彼はいつも同じような服を着ている。
He always wears the same kind of clothes.
同じような問題がまた起きた。
The same kind of problem happened again.
Literally 'similar-like'. It implies things are not exactly the same but very similar in kind. Often used when you can't tell the difference or it doesn't matter.
どれも似たようなものだよ。
They're all the same kind of thing.
To refer to 'the same kind' as a noun, often in comparisons.
Literally 'same thing'. In context, it can mean 'the same kind of thing'. Very common and natural.
それと同じものをください。
Please give me the same kind.
Means 'the same kind' or 'similar type', often used for people or things that are alike, sometimes with a negative connotation (birds of a feather).
彼も同類だ。
He is the same kind (of person).
同じ種類 is the most direct translation for 'same kind' and is neutral. 同じタイプ is more casual and often used for personality types or product models. 同じような emphasizes similarity rather than exact category, and is very common in spoken Japanese.
同じ種類の犬を飼っている。
I have the same kind of dog.
同じタイプの車が欲しい。
I want the same type of car.
同じような味がする。
It tastes the same kind of way.
Do not translate 'same kind' as 同じ親切 (onaji shinsetsu). 親切 means 'kindness' (as in being kind), not 'kind' as in type. This is a common mistake for beginners.
Do not translate 'same kind' as 同じ親切 (onaji shinsetsu). 親切 means 'kindness' (as in being kind), not 'kind' as in type. This is a common mistake for beginners.