同僚

dōryō

coworker

彼は同僚と一緒に仕事をした。

He worked with his coworker.

formal

A person who works in the same organization or department as another; a colleague.

同僚と協力してプロジェクトを進めました。

I advanced the project in cooperation with my coworkers.

彼女は同僚にとても信頼されている。

She is highly trusted by her coworkers.

Used in both professional and academic contexts. Often implies a peer relationship rather than a superior-subordinate dynamic.

Collocations

同僚との関係relationship with coworkers同僚の助けhelp from coworkers同僚と飲みに行くgo drinking with coworkers

Synonyms

同事仲間同僚社員

Antonyms

上司部下

Related Phrases

同僚意識phrase

sense of camaraderie among coworkers

同僚との連携phrase

collaboration with coworkers

Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal

Use 同僚 in formal emails or documents. In casual conversation, 仲間 or 同事 may be more natural depending on context.

Gold Rule

Peer Relationship

同僚 implies a peer relationship. If you are referring to a superior or subordinate, use 上司 (superior) or 部下 (subordinate) instead.

Word Origin

From Middle Chinese 同僚 (doung ljew, “same office”). The character 僚 (liáo) originally referred to officials of the same rank in ancient Chinese bureaucracy. The term entered Japanese as a formal term for colleagues in a workplace.

Usage Notes

1. More formal than 仲間 (nakama, "friend/colleague") or 同事 (dōji, "colleague" in Chinese-origin contexts). 2. Often used in business settings but can apply to academic or volunteer work. 3. Avoid using for superiors or subordinates unless emphasizing peer status.

Word Breakdown

同

same

root

僚

official/companion

root

和英辞典

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