Translation guide
How to express 'sympathiser' in Japanese, depending on the type of sympathy and context.
Referring to someone who feels sorry for another person's misfortune.
A person who feels sympathy or compassion for someone's suffering. This is the most direct translation.
Referring to someone who agrees with and supports a political or social cause, but may not be an active member.
A supporter or backer of a cause, idea, or person. Often used in political contexts.
Referring to someone who emotionally connects with another's feelings, often in a personal context.
A person who empathises or feels the same emotions. '共感' implies a deeper emotional sharing than '同情'.
彼は私の気持ちに共感する人だ。
He is a person who sympathises with my feelings.
同情 (dōjō) is sympathy or pity for someone's misfortune, often from a position of superiority. 共感 (kyōkan) is empathy, sharing the same feelings as if they were your own. Use 同情者 for a sympathiser in the sense of feeling sorry, and 共感する人 for someone who truly understands and shares emotions.
同情は時に相手を見下すことになる。
Sympathy can sometimes be condescending.
共感は相手と同じ立場に立つことだ。
Empathy is standing in the same position as the other person.
The English word 'sympathiser' covers multiple concepts. Directly translating it as シンパ may sound outdated or carry political connotations. Choose the appropriate term based on context.
彼は事故の被害者に対する同情者だ。
He is a sympathiser with the victims of the accident.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who sympathises'. Used when you want to be clear.
彼女はいつも弱い立場の人に同情する人だ。
She is always a person who sympathises with the underdog.
The number of sympathisers of that political party is increasing.
A person who agrees or goes along with a movement or opinion. Implies alignment of views.
彼は改革運動の同調者だ。
He is a sympathiser with the reform movement.
From English 'sympathiser', used in Japanese to mean a sympathiser or fellow traveler, often with a slightly dated or political nuance.
彼は左翼のシンパだと言われている。
He is said to be a left-wing sympathiser.
A person who understands you or your situation. Often used for someone who 'gets' you.
彼女は私の数少ない理解者の一人だ。
She is one of my few sympathisers.
彼は私のシンパだ。
He is my sympathiser. (unnatural unless political)
彼は私のシンパだ。
He is my sympathiser. (unnatural unless political)