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相棒 (あいぼう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

相あい棒ぼう

あ

い

ぼ

う

Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

partner; pal; accomplice

Refers to a close companion, often in work, crime, or shared activity. Can be friendly or imply a shady partnership depending on context.

彼かれは仕し事ごとの

相あい

棒ぼう

と

一いっ

緒しょ

に

新あたら

しい

プロジェクト

を

始はじ

め

た

。

He started a new project with his work partner.

刑けい事じドラマでは、相あい棒ぼう同どう士しの絆きずながよく描えがかれる。

In detective dramas, the bond between partners is often portrayed.

犯はん人にんは相あい棒ぼうと共ともに逃とう走そうした。

The culprit fled with his accomplice.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉が相あい棒ぼうになるfor someone to become one's partner
この事じ件けんをきっかけに、二人ふたりは相あい棒ぼうになった。
That case was the start of their becoming partners.
〈人ひと〉を相あい棒ぼうにするto take someone on as one's partner
彼かれは昔むかしからの友ゆう人じんを相あい棒ぼうにして仕し事ごとを始はじめた。
He started the job with an old friend as his partner.
相あい棒ぼうと組くむto team up with one's partner
刑けい事じは長なが年ねんの相あい棒ぼうと組くんで捜そう査さに当あたった。
The detective teamed up with his longtime partner to investigate.

Kanji

相inter-, mutual, together
棒rod, stick, cane

Related words· 7

仲なか間まN3
仲間 covers any companion or group member, while 相棒 specifically implies a close one-on-one partnership, often in work or crime.
パートナー
パートナー is a neutral loanword used for business, dance, or life partners, whereas 相棒 has a more informal, buddy-like or conspiratorial feel.
共きょう犯はん者しゃ
共犯者 specifically means an accomplice in a crime, while 相棒 can mean the same thing informally but also just a regular work or activity partner.
バディ
相棒 is a native Japanese word for a partner or sidekick, often implying a stronger, longer-term bond, while バディ is a casual loanword emphasizing everyday companionship.

Show 3 more

兄きょう弟だいN5
相棒 means 'partner/buddy' and can be used more broadly (including work partners), while 兄弟 in this casual sense is specifically a male-to-male address term like 'bro'.
相あい方かた
相棒 is the everyday, general word for a buddy or partner (used for work, police duos, etc.), while 相方 is specifically tied to manzai comedy duos or a chosen companion.
相あい手てN4
相棒 is a casual, affectionate word for a close buddy or sidekick, while 相手 is the neutral term for whoever you're with or dealing with.

Don't confuse with

相あい方かた
相方 and 相棒 look and sound similar and both mean 'partner', but 相方 is used especially for a comedy duo or dance partner while 相棒 is broader and often implies detective- or crime-story camaraderie.
チームメイト
相棒 means a close personal partner or buddy in any activity, while チームメイト specifically denotes membership on the same formal team.

Built from

相あい+棒ぼう

Etymology

Compound of 相 (あい, mutual) and 棒 (ぼう, stick/pole), originally referring to two people carrying a load together with a pole, later extended to mean a close partner.