1.
fellow countrymen; compatriots
People who share the same nationality or ethnic background. Used in formal or patriotic contexts to emphasize shared national identity.
海外の同胞を支援する。
To support our compatriots abroad.
同胞の安全を守ることが大切だ。
It is important to protect the safety of our compatriots.
災害時に海外にいる同胞の安否を確認するのは政府の責任だ。
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.
われわれは同胞だ。
We are brethren.
同胞の絆は強い。
The bond between brethren is strong.
同じ土地に生まれた同胞として、助け合うべきだ。
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:
- 海外同胞: compatriots abroad
- 在外同胞: overseas compatriots
- 同胞意識: sense of kinship/solidarity
- 同胞愛: love for one's compatriots
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 同国人: person of the same country — neutral and factual, less emotional
- 同志: comrade — emphasizes shared purpose or ideology rather than shared origin
- 仲間: companion, fellow — informal and broader, used for any group one belongs to