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.
He is my colleague.
Literally 'work companion', this term emphasizes camaraderie and is slightly more casual than 同僚.
He is a reliable colleague.
Specifies 'company colleague', useful when clarifying the context.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Referring to someone in the same profession or field, like a fellow doctor, lawyer, or teacher.
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.
This is my colleague. (sounds self-centered when speaking to a client)
I had lunch with a colleague.
I went out for drinks with a colleague from work.
A senior colleague taught me the work.
Tanaka-senpai is very kind.
It's a senior's role to look after junior colleagues.
A new junior colleague has joined.
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.
I have daily meetings with my team members.
Our colleague will explain. (formal, to a client)
Casual way to say 'someone from my company'. Used in informal conversations with outsiders.
I went out drinking with a colleague from work yesterday.
Means 'person in the same industry or profession'. Used for colleagues across different workplaces.
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.
He is a fellow doctor.
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'.