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Words Kanji Guides About

輩 (はい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

輩はい

は

い

Meanings

1

noun

group; gang; bunch

Refers to a group of people, often with a slightly derogatory or informal nuance. Commonly used as a suffix in words like 悪輩 (bad guys) or 若輩 (young people).

学がく生せい輩はいが集あつまって議ぎ論ろんした。
A group of students gathered and discussed it.
彼かれは悪あく輩はいとつるんでいる。
He hangs out with a bad crowd.

Kanji

輩comrade, fellow, people

Similar words

連れん中ちゅう
連中 is a more common and neutral term for a group of people, while 輩 often carries a derogatory or dismissive tone.
奴やつ等ら
奴等 is a more explicitly derogatory term for 'those guys', whereas 輩 can be used in a wider range of contexts, including as a suffix.

Etymology

The kanji 輩 originally meant 'comrade' or 'fellow' in classical Chinese. In Japanese, it developed into a suffix and standalone noun for a group of people, often with a negative connotation.