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徒輩 (とはい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

徒と輩はい

と

は

い

Meanings

1

noun

group; company; companions

Rare, somewhat literary noun for a group of people, often with a nuance of 'fellows' or 'set'. Not used in everyday conversation; more likely encountered in older texts or formal writing.

彼かれは徒と輩はいとともに旅たびに出でた。
He set out on a journey with his companions.

Kanji

徒on foot, junior, emptiness
輩comrade, fellow, people

Similar words

仲なか間ま
仲間 is the common, everyday word for 'companion' or 'group member'. 徒輩 is rare and literary.
連れん中ちゅう
連中 is a casual, sometimes slightly derogatory word for a group of people. 徒輩 is more neutral and formal.

Etymology

The kanji 徒 means 'follower' or 'companion', and 輩 means 'comrade' or 'fellow'. The compound is a straightforward combination of these elements, but the exact historical derivation is uncertain.