同窓(どうそう)

Literally "same window" (同(どう) same + 窓(そう) window), referring to students who studied at the same place. Most commonly encountered in the compound 同窓会(どうそうかい) (alumni reunion, class reunion), which is an important social tradition in Japan.

Common collocations

• 同窓会(どうそうかい): alumni reunion; class reunion
• 同窓生(どうそうせい): fellow alumnus; classmate
• 同窓(どうそう)名簿(めいぼ): alumni directory

Similar words

• 同級生(どうきゅうせい): classmate — specifically someone in the same grade/year
• 同期(どうき): colleague from the same entering class — common in companies and organizations
• 先輩(せんぱい)/後輩(こうはい): senior/junior — based on year, not just same school