同胞(どうほう)

どうほう
noun
fellow countrymen; compatriots; brethren
formalsocietyperson
1. fellow countrymen; compatriots
People who share the same nationality or ethnic background. Used in formal or patriotic contexts to emphasize shared national identity.
海外(かいがい)の同胞(どうほう)を支援(しえん)する。
To support our compatriots abroad.
同胞(どうほう)の安全(あんぜん)を守(まも)ることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It is important to protect the safety of our compatriots.
災害(さいがい)時(じ)に海外(かいがい)にいる同胞(どうほう)の安否(あんぴ)を確認(かくにん)するのは政府(せいふ)の責任(せきにん)だ。
It is the government's responsibility to confirm the safety of compatriots abroad during a disaster.
2. brethren; siblings from the same parents
People born of the same parents, or more broadly, people who share the same origin or bond. A literary or elevated usage.
われわれは同胞(どうほう)だ。
We are brethren.
同胞(どうほう)の絆(きずな)は強(つよ)い。
The bond between brethren is strong.
同(おな)じ土地(とち)に生(う)まれた同胞(どうほう)として、助(たす)け合(あ)うべきだ。
As brethren born on the same land, we should help each other.

A formal, somewhat elevated word. Also read as はらから in literary contexts, emphasizing the original meaning of siblings from the same womb. The reading どうほう is standard in modern usage and typically refers to compatriots.

Common collocations

  • 海外(かいがい)同胞(どうほう): compatriots abroad
  • 在外(ざいがい)同胞(どうほう): overseas compatriots
  • 同胞(どうほう)意識(いしき): sense of kinship/solidarity
  • 同胞(どうほう)愛(あい): love for one's compatriots

Similar words

  • 同国人(どうこくじん): person of the same country — neutral and factual, less emotional
  • 同志(どうし): comrade — emphasizes shared purpose or ideology rather than shared origin
  • 仲間(なかま): companion, fellow — informal and broader, used for any group one belongs to

Related Words

Compare: 同志(どうし) (comrade)
Compare: 仲間(なかま) (companion, fellow)
general
Added 2026.4.9 1:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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