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.
We go to the same school.
These two boxes are the same size.
A more formal word meaning 'identical' or 'the very same'. Often used in official or technical contexts.
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.
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.
This book is the same as that book.
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'.
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: 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.
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.
He is busy as ever.
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).
Her smile is as beautiful as ever.
Common English expressions using 'same' and their natural Japanese equivalents.
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).
We have the same opinion.
It's the same as before.
A: お腹すいた。B: 同じく。
A: I'm hungry. B: Same.
You haven't changed a bit. / Same as always.
An idiom meaning 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' or 'there is no difference'. Literally 'fifty steps, one hundred steps'.
Both proposals are much the same.