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B1 noun #6,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

同期

Colleagues hired at the same time; same-year hires.

douki
At the A1 level, you can think of '同期' (douki) as a special word for 'work friends who started on the same day.' In Japan, many people start their jobs at the same time, especially in April. These people are your 'douki.' You don't need to worry about the complicated social rules yet. Just remember that it is a noun. You can say 'My douki' or 'He is douki.' It is a very friendly word. If you are learning Japanese to work in a Japanese company, this is one of the first words you will hear. It helps you find people who are at the same level as you, so you don't feel lonely. Even at this simple level, knowing this word shows that you understand a little bit about Japanese office life. You can use it like this: 'Tanaka-san is my douki.' It is much more specific than just 'friend.' It explains *why* you are friends: because you started your journey together. Remember the sound: 'do' (like door) and 'ki' (like key). 'Dou-ki.' The 'ou' is a long sound.
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At the A2 level, you should start using '同期' (douki) to describe your relationships more accurately. Instead of just using 'tomodachi' (friend) for everyone at work, use 'douki' for those who joined the company in the same year as you. You will notice that 'douki' often appears with the particle 'の' (no), as in '同期の田中さん' (Tanaka-san, who is my same-year colleague). You should also learn that this word is different from 'senpai' (senior) and 'kohai' (junior). At the A2 level, you are learning how to navigate basic social hierarchies, and 'douki' is the 'neutral zone' where you can be yourself. You can practice sentences like 'I went to lunch with my douki' (同期とランチに行きました). You might also hear this word in the context of school graduation years. If two people graduated in 2022, they are 'douki.' It's a useful way to find common ground with new people. 'Are we douki?' (私たちは同期ですか？) is a great conversation starter in a professional setting.
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At the B1 level, you need to understand the cultural weight of '同期' (douki). It is not just a label; it represents a support network. In Japan, the 'douki' bond is often stronger than the bond with one's boss. You should be able to use the word in more complex sentences, such as 'Even though we are in different departments, we are douki, so we talk often' (部署は違いますが、同期なのでよく話します). You should also be aware of the technical meaning: 'synchronization.' For example, 'syncing data' (データの同期). At this level, you should be able to distinguish between these two meanings based on the context. You will also encounter compound words like '同期入社' (douki nyūsha - entering the company at the same time) and '同期会' (doukikai - a reunion of same-year colleagues). Understanding the B1 level of 'douki' means recognizing that these people are your 'benchmarks' for success. You compare your progress to theirs, and you help each other when the company pressure gets too high. It is a key part of the 'collective' nature of Japanese work culture.
At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss the sociological implications of the '同期' (douki) system. You can talk about how the 'shinki sotsugyō ikkatsu saiyō' (simultaneous hiring of graduates) creates these cohorts and how this affects company loyalty. You should be comfortable using 'douki' in formal writing and business discussions. For instance, you might analyze how a 'douki' network can be used for cross-departmental collaboration (同期のネットワークを活用する). You should also understand the nuance of rivalry. While 'douki' are friends, they are also competitors for the same future management positions. This 'friendly rivalry' (sekitō) is a common theme in Japanese business literature. At B2, you should also be able to use the word metaphorically or in high-level contexts, such as political cohorts or artistic movements where a group of people debuted at the same time. You should also be aware of how the system is changing with the rise of 'mid-career' hiring and how the traditional 'douki' bond is evolving in modern, more fluid job markets.
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At the C1 level, your understanding of '同期' (douki) should include its historical and structural role in Japanese capitalism. You can engage in deep conversations about the 'membership-based' (menbāshippu-gata) employment system of Japan, where 'douki' serves as the primary social unit within the firm. You should be able to use the term to describe complex organizational dynamics, such as the 'douki' pressure that can lead to groupthink or, conversely, the 'douki' solidarity that can act as a check against corporate malpractice. Your vocabulary should include related terms like '同期間の競争' (competition among same-year hires) and '同期の結束' (the solidarity of the cohort). You should also be able to handle the technical 'synchronization' meaning in advanced IT or scientific contexts without hesitation, using it in phrases like '非同期通信' (asynchronous communication). At this level, you are expected to understand the subtle emotional resonance of the word in literature and film, where a 'douki' relationship often serves as a proxy for the characters' shared journey through life's hardships.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '同期' (douki) and can use it to critique or defend aspects of Japanese corporate culture. You can articulate the psychological benefits of the 'douki' system in providing a sense of belonging in an increasingly atomized society, while also acknowledging its potential for creating 'in-groups' that exclude those who join mid-career. You can use the word with precision in legal, academic, or highly technical discourses. For example, in a sociological paper, you might discuss '同期意識の変容' (the transformation of cohort consciousness) in the post-bubble era. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and historical references related to the word. You can effortlessly switch between the social and technical (synchronization) meanings, even in punning or wordplay. Your mastery allows you to sense the 'unspoken' aspects of the word—how a simple mention of 'douki' in a tense negotiation can be used to build instant rapport or to remind someone of a shared obligation. You understand that 'douki' is more than a word; it is a fundamental building block of the Japanese social contract.
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Beispiele

同期 in 30 Sekunden

  • Refers to colleagues hired in the same year, forming a unique social bond in Japanese work culture.
  • Functions as a horizontal relationship (equal status) in a typically vertical (hierarchical) society.
  • Also means 'synchronization' in technical contexts, such as syncing data between digital devices.
  • Crucial for building support networks and surviving the pressures of early corporate life in Japan.

The Japanese term 同期 (douki) is a cornerstone of Japanese corporate and social structure, particularly within the context of the 'simultaneous recruiting of new graduates' (shinki sotsugyō ikkatsu saiyō). While the English translation 'colleagues hired at the same time' is technically accurate, it fails to capture the profound emotional and social bond that this word implies. In a Japanese company, your 同期 are your peers, your rivals, your support system, and often your lifelong friends. Because they entered the organization at the exact same moment, they share the same level of experience, the same struggles with the corporate hierarchy, and the same perspective on the company's evolution. Unlike relationships with senpai (seniors) or kōhai (juniors), the relationship between 同期 is one of horizontal equality, which is a rare and precious thing in the vertically structured Japanese society.

The Corporate Batch System
In many Japanese firms, employees are hired in yearly 'batches.' This means that everyone starting in April of a specific year becomes a 同期 group. They undergo training together, stay in the same company dormitories, and often vent their frustrations to one another during nomikai (drinking parties).
Social Solidarity
Because you cannot easily complain to your boss or act too familiar with your subordinates, your 同期 serve as a vital psychological safety valve. They are the people you can speak to in tame-guchi (casual speech) without fear of breaking etiquette.

彼は私の同期で、一番の親友です。
(He is my same-year colleague and my best friend.)

Beyond the workplace, 同期 can also refer to people who graduated in the same year from a university or those who joined a specific club or organization at the same time. However, its most potent usage remains within the 'salaryman' culture of Japan. It represents a shared history of surviving the 'employment ice age' or the 'bubble era' together. When you meet someone from another department and discover you are 同期, the social barriers immediately drop, and a sense of camaraderie is established. This concept is so ingrained that many Japanese people will describe their career milestones not by the year, but by their 同期 status (e.g., 'The year the 2015 同期 were hired was a tough one').

Technical Nuance
It is important to note that 同期 (douki) also has a technical meaning: 'synchronization' (as in 'syncing your phone with a computer'). However, in daily conversation, the context usually makes it very clear which one is being discussed. If you are talking about people, it's about cohorts; if you are talking about data, it's about syncing.

同期の飲み会はいつも盛り上がる。
(Drinking parties with colleagues hired at the same time are always lively.)

Using 同期 (douki) correctly involves understanding that it functions primarily as a noun that describes a relationship. You don't just have a 同期; you *are* 同期 with someone. Common grammatical structures include using the particle 'の' to link it to specific people or 'と' to show the mutual relationship. For example, 'Aさんは私の同期です' (Mr. A is my same-year colleague). You can also use it as a prefix in compound words like 同期入社 (douki nyūsha), which refers to the act of joining the company at the same time.

As a Subject or Object
When 同期 is the subject, it often refers to the entire group. '今年の同期は優秀だ' (This year's cohort is excellent). As an object, you might say '同期を大切にする' (to value one's same-year colleagues).
In Comparisons
Comparing yourself to your 同期 is a common topic in Japan. '同期の中で一番早く出世した' (He was promoted the fastest among those hired at the same time).

困ったときは、いつも同期に相談している。
(When I'm in trouble, I always consult my same-year colleagues.)

In a formal setting, you might use the term 同期生 (dōkisei) to refer to classmates or fellow trainees, which adds a slightly more academic or structured tone. However, in the office, 同期 is the standard. If you are addressing a 同期 directly, you usually use their name followed by '-kun' or '-san,' or even just their name if you are very close. You would almost never call someone 'Douki-san' to their face; the word describes the *status* of the relationship, not a title like 'Manager' or 'President.'

彼は私と同期入社ですが、部署が違います。
(He joined the company at the same time as me, but our departments are different.)

Finally, consider the nuances of 'internal competition.' In many sentences, 同期 is used to express a sense of healthy rivalry. '同期に負けたくない' (I don't want to lose to my same-year colleagues) is a common sentiment that drives productivity in Japanese firms. It implies that since everyone started from the same baseline, any difference in performance is a direct reflection of individual effort and talent.

If you step into any Japanese office building around 6:00 PM, you are likely to hear the word 同期 (douki) whispered in hallways or shouted in nearby izakaya. It is a word of the 'after-hours' culture. It is the language of the 'salaryman' and 'office lady' (OL). You will hear it most frequently during the month of April, which is the start of the Japanese fiscal and academic year. This is when the new 'batch' of 同期 is introduced to the company. You'll hear veterans reminiscing about their own 同期 and how many of them are still with the firm versus how many have 'fallen away' (resigned).

In Office Dramas
Japanese TV dramas (especially those focused on business like 'Hanzawa Naoki') frequently use the 同期 dynamic as a central plot point. The protagonist often has a trusted 同期 in the IT or HR department who provides 'insider' information that helps them overcome a villainous boss.
Recruitment Seminars
Companies use the promise of a strong 同期 network to attract students. They might say, 'Our company has a very tight-knit 同期 culture,' implying that you won't be alone in your struggles.

「お前とは同期だろ？隠し事はなしだぜ。」
("We're same-year colleagues, right? No secrets between us.")

You will also encounter 同期 in news reports about politics or high-level business. When a new cabinet is formed, journalists often analyze the 同期 relationships between ministers. If two politicians entered the Diet (parliament) in the same election year, they are 同期, and this often dictates their political alliances and internal party dynamics. In this context, it takes on a more strategic meaning, implying a network of influence that spans different committees or factions.

The 'Sync' Context
In the tech world, you'll hear developers say 'データを同期する' (sync the data). While the word is the same, the intonation and context are so different that native speakers never confuse them. The human 同期 is a social category; the tech 同期 is a functional action.

定年退職後も、同期会で集まっている。
(Even after retiring, they gather for 'same-year colleague' reunions.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 同期 (douki) is using it as a direct substitute for the word 'colleague' or 'coworker.' In English, 'colleague' is a broad term that covers anyone you work with. In Japanese, if you call someone your 同期 but they actually started a year before you, you are committing a significant social faux pas. You are essentially claiming a level of equality that you haven't earned, or perhaps worse, you are accidentally insulting a senior by implying they are at your junior level.

Mistake 1: Confusing Douki with Doryo
If you want to say 'He is my coworker' generally, use dōryō (同僚). Only use 同期 if you are 100% sure you both entered the company in the same fiscal year. Using 同期 for a boss is impossible and sounds nonsensical.
Mistake 2: Using it for School Friends
While 同期 can be used for school cohorts, the more natural term for classmates is dōkyūsei (同級生). Using 同期 for school friends sounds overly formal or like you are talking about a military academy.

❌ 彼は私の同期の上司です。
(Incorrect: He is my same-year colleague boss.)
✅ 彼は私の上司です。
(Correct: He is my boss.)

Another mistake is forgetting the 'sync' meaning in technical contexts. If you are a software engineer and you tell your team '同期が壊れた' (The douki is broken), they might think you are saying your same-year colleague has had a mental breakdown! You must be specific: 'データの同期' (data sync) or '同期処理' (synchronous processing). Conversely, don't use the English word 'sync' when you mean your colleagues; no Japanese person says 'I'm going to lunch with my syncs.'

Mistake 3: Over-reliance on Tame-guchi
Just because someone is your 同期 doesn't mean you can use casual language in front of clients or senior management. The 'horizontal' relationship is for private or semi-private settings. In a formal meeting, you still use teineigo (polite Japanese) even when addressing your 同期.

❌ 同期、これやって。
(Incorrect: Douki, do this. - Using it as a name is wrong.)
✅ 田中くん、これお願い。
(Correct: Tanaka-kun, please do this.)

To truly master 同期 (douki), you must understand where it sits in the constellation of words for people you know. Japanese has a very high 'resolution' for social relationships, and choosing the wrong word can change the entire feeling of a sentence. Below are the most common alternatives and how they differ from 同期.

同僚 (Dōryō) vs. 同期 (Dōki)
同僚 is the general term for 'colleague.' It includes people who started before you, after you, and in different years. 同期 is a specific subset of dōryō. You use dōryō when talking to outsiders about your coworkers in general.
同級生 (Dōkyūsei) vs. 同期 (Dōki)
同級生 specifically means 'classmate' (same grade in school). While 同期 can be used for school cohorts, dōkyūsei is much more common for K-12 and university friends. 同期 feels more like you joined a specific 'organization' (like a company or the army) together.
仲間 (Nakama) vs. 同期 (Dōki)
仲間 means 'comrade,' 'partner,' or 'circle of friends.' It is an emotional term based on shared goals or hobbies. You can be nakama with your 同期, but nakama is not tied to a specific hiring date.

「彼は単なる同僚ではなく、大切な同期です。」
("He isn't just a colleague; he is a precious same-year cohort.")

In a technical sense, if you want to avoid the 'human' confusion, you can use the English loanword シンクロ (shinkuro - sync) or 同時 (dōji - simultaneous). However, 同期 remains the most professional term for synchronization in computing. In the social sphere, another interesting word is 代 (dai), as in '30代' (people in their 30s) or '10期生' (10th generation students). This emphasizes the 'generation' rather than the 'hiring date,' but often overlaps with the concept of 同期.

同期の絆は一生ものです。
(The bond between same-year colleagues is a lifelong thing.)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

田中さんは私の同期です。

Tanaka-san is my same-year colleague.

Simple A is B structure using the particle 'の'.

2

同期とランチを食べます。

I will eat lunch with my same-year colleagues.

The particle 'と' indicates 'with'.

3

今年の同期は5人です。

There are 5 same-year colleagues this year.

Counting people using '人' (nin).

4

同期はみんな親切です。

All my same-year colleagues are kind.

'みんな' means 'everyone' or 'all'.

5

同期の名前を覚えます。

I will remember my same-year colleagues' names.

Direct object marked by 'を'.

6

彼は同期の中で一番背が高い。

He is the tallest among the same-year colleagues.

'の中で' means 'among' or 'within'.

7

同期に会えて嬉しいです。

I am happy to meet my same-year colleagues.

'~て嬉しい' expresses happiness about an action.

8

明日は同期の誕生日です。

Tomorrow is my same-year colleague's birthday.

Possessive 'の' linking colleague and birthday.

1

同期と一緒に研修を受けました。

I took training together with my same-year colleagues.

'一緒に' (issho ni) means 'together'.

2

私の同期はみんな別の部署にいます。

All my same-year colleagues are in different departments.

'部署' (busho) means 'department'.

3

同期入社の友達が多いです。

I have many friends who joined the company at the same time.

Compound noun '同期入社' (douki nyūsha).

4

週末に同期と飲みに行きます。

I will go drinking with my same-year colleagues this weekend.

'~に行きます' indicates purpose of movement.

5

同期の成功は嬉しいですが、少し悔しいです。

I'm happy about my same-year colleague's success, but a bit frustrated.

Contrast using 'ですが'.

6

仕事が大変な時は同期に助けてもらいます。

When work is hard, I have my same-year colleagues help me.

'~てもらう' indicates receiving a favor.

7

同期の中で、彼が一番早く結婚しました。

Among my same-year colleagues, he married the earliest.

Superlative '一番' (ichiban).

8

同期会を計画しています。

I am planning a reunion for same-year colleagues.

'~を計画している' means 'planning to do'.

1

スマホのデータをパソコンと同期します。

I will sync my smartphone data with my computer.

Technical usage of '同期' meaning 'synchronization'.

2

同期入社のメンバーとは、今でも仲が良いです。

I am still on good terms with the members who joined the company at the same time.

'今でも' means 'even now'.

3

同期が辞めてしまうのは、とても寂しい。

It is very lonely when a same-year colleague quits.

'~てしまう' indicates regret or completion.

4

同期と競い合うことで、成長できると思います。

I think I can grow by competing with my same-year colleagues.

'~ことで' indicates means or method.

5

彼は同期の中でも特に優秀だと評判です。

He has a reputation for being particularly excellent even among same-year colleagues.

'~と評判です' means 'is rumored/reputed to be'.

6

同期の絆は、仕事のストレスを和らげてくれます。

The bond with same-year colleagues softens the stress of work.

'和らげる' (yawarageru) means to soften or ease.

7

新しいプロジェクトのリーダーは、私の同期です。

The leader of the new project is my same-year colleague.

Using '同期' as a relational noun.

8

同期が昇進したと聞いて、刺激を受けました。

Hearing that my same-year colleague was promoted gave me motivation.

'刺激を受ける' (shigeki o ukeru) means to be inspired/motivated.

1

同期のネットワークを通じて、他部署の情報を得る。

Obtain information from other departments through the same-year colleague network.

'~を通じて' (o tsūjite) means 'through' or 'via'.

2

日本では同期入社という文化が、組織の結束を強めている。

In Japan, the culture of joining a company at the same time strengthens organizational solidarity.

'~という' defines the preceding noun.

3

同期との比較ばかりしていると、疲れてしまう。

If you do nothing but compare yourself with same-year colleagues, you will get tired.

'~ばかり' means 'nothing but'.

4

クラウド上のファイルが自動的に同期される設定にする。

Set the files on the cloud to be synchronized automatically.

Passive voice '同期される' (dōki sareru).

5

同期の活躍は、私にとって大きなモチベーションになる。

The success of my same-year colleagues becomes a great motivation for me.

'~にとって' means 'for' or 'from the perspective of'.

6

入社10年目の同期会には、ほとんどのメンバーが集まった。

Almost all members gathered for the 10th-year same-year colleague reunion.

'ほとんどの' means 'most of'.

7

同期の間で、誰が最初に課長になるか注目されている。

Among the same-year colleagues, attention is focused on who will become manager first.

'注目されている' means 'is being watched/noticed'.

8

同期だからこそ、厳しい意見も率直に言える。

Because we are same-year colleagues, we can state harsh opinions frankly.

'~だからこそ' emphasizes the reason.

1

同期意識が強すぎると、外部の意見を排除する傾向が生じる。

If cohort consciousness is too strong, a tendency to exclude outside opinions arises.

Abstract concept '同期意識' (douki ishiki).

2

終身雇用が揺らぐ中で、同期の絆の在り方も変化している。

As lifelong employment wavers, the nature of the bond between same-year colleagues is also changing.

'~が揺らぐ中で' means 'amidst the shaking of...'.

3

同期の誰かが不祥事を起こすと、連帯責任を感じることもある。

When one of the same-year colleagues causes a scandal, others may feel collective responsibility.

'連帯責任' (rentai sekinin) means collective responsibility.

4

このシステムは、サーバー間のデータをリアルタイムで同期させる必要がある。

This system needs to synchronize data between servers in real-time.

Causative form '同期させる' (dōki saseru).

5

同期が次々と転職していくのを見て、自分のキャリアを再考した。

Seeing my same-year colleagues change jobs one after another, I reconsidered my own career.

'次々と' (tsugitsugi to) means 'one after another'.

6

政治家にとって、初当選の同期は党派を超えた重要な人脈となる。

For politicians, colleagues from the same first-election year become important networks beyond party lines.

'~を超えた' means 'transcending'.

7

同期入社の連帯感は、日本的経営の長所でもあり短所でもある。

The sense of solidarity among same-year hires is both a strength and a weakness of Japanese management.

'AでもありBでもある' means 'is both A and B'.

8

同期の出世争いは、時に激しい確執を生むことがある。

The struggle for promotion among same-year colleagues can sometimes produce intense feuds.

'確執' (kakushitsu) means feud or discord.

1

同期という概念は、日本の均質的な労働市場の産物であると言える。

It can be said that the concept of 'douki' is a product of Japan's homogeneous labor market.

'~の産物' (no sanbutsu) means 'a product of'.

2

非同期処理を適切に実装することで、アプリケーションの応答性を向上させる。

By appropriately implementing asynchronous processing, improve application responsiveness.

'非同期' (hi-dōki) means asynchronous.

3

同期入社組の結束が、組織の柔軟な変革を阻害する要因となり得る。

The solidarity of the same-year hiring group can become a factor that inhibits flexible organizational transformation.

'~となり得る' (to nari uru) means 'can potentially become'.

4

彼は同期の中でも異彩を放っており、既存の枠組みに捉われない。

He stands out even among his same-year colleagues and is not bound by existing frameworks.

'異彩を放つ' (isai o hanatsu) means to stand out uniquely.

5

同期の不幸を「蜜の味」と感じてしまう人間の心理を考察する。

Examine the human psychology that feels a same-year colleague's misfortune as 'the taste of honey' (schadenfreude).

Metaphor '蜜の味' (mitsu no aji).

6

グローバル化の進展に伴い、同期という特権的な関係性は希薄化しつつある。

With the progress of globalization, the privileged relationship of 'douki' is becoming diluted.

'~に伴い' (ni tomonai) means 'along with'.

7

同期入社の仲間意識が、不当な労働慣行を温存させる土壌となっている。

The sense of camaraderie among same-year hires serves as the soil that preserves unfair labor practices.

'温存させる' (onzon saseru) means to preserve or keep alive.

8

同期の昇進を素直に祝福できない自分に、自己嫌悪を抱く。

I feel self-loathing for being unable to sincerely celebrate the promotion of a same-year colleague.

'自己嫌悪を抱く' (jiko ken'o o idaku) means to feel self-hatred.

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