Translation guide
The English word 'mate' can refer to a friend, a romantic partner, an animal's partner, or a crew member. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from casual friendship to formal relationships.
Referring to a close friend or companion in informal contexts.
Standard word for 'friend'. Neutral and widely used.
He is my best mate.
Comrade, companion, or member of one's group. Implies shared activity or belonging.
Slang abbreviation of 友達 (ともだち). Very casual, used mainly by young men.
That guy's my mate.
Referring to a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, or long-term romantic partner.
Formal term for spouse or life partner. Used in official contexts.
Please bring your mate.
Loanword for 'partner', commonly used for romantic or life partners, including same-sex relationships.
Boyfriend/girlfriend or sweetheart. Romantic but less formal than spouse.
Referring to an animal's sexual partner, especially in breeding contexts.
Referring to a fellow worker on a ship or boat.
In English, 'mate' is a very common casual term for friend, but Japanese has no exact equivalent. Using 友達 (ともだち) is safe, but overusing casual slang like ダチ can sound unnatural or overly masculine. In many contexts, simply using the person's name or a title is more natural than a generic 'mate'.
彼は釣りの仲間だ。
He's my fishing mate.
彼は私の人生のパートナーです。
He is my life mate.
彼女は私の恋人です。
She is my mate.
All the mates were safe.