Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== tóngbàn: 同伴 - Companion, Partner, Comrade ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** tóngbàn, tongban, 同伴, Chinese for companion, partner in Chinese, travel companion, fellow traveler, difference between tongban and pengyou, Chinese vocabulary, learn Chinese * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **同伴 (tóngbàn)**, a versatile Chinese word for "companion" or "partner." This page explores how `tóngbàn` signifies someone who shares a journey, activity, or purpose with you, going beyond the simple English word "friend." Learn its cultural context, practical usage in modern China, and how to distinguish it from similar terms like `朋友 (péngyou)` and `伙伴 (huǒbàn)`. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tóngbàn * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A person who accompanies or is associated with another in a particular activity or journey. * **In a Nutshell:** `同伴` refers to a companion who shares a specific context or goal with you. Think of a travel companion, a lab partner, or a fellow adventurer. The core idea is "togetherness" in an action or experience, rather than just general friendship. It emphasizes a shared path, even if it's a temporary one. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **同 (tóng):** This character means "same," "alike," or "together." It can be pictured as a group of people under one roof or sharing a common message, signifying agreement and togetherness. * **伴 (bàn):** This character means "partner" or "to accompany." It's composed of the "person" radical (亻) on the left and 半 (bàn), meaning "half," on the right. It beautifully illustrates the idea of a person who is your "other half" in a given activity, someone who completes the pair. * When combined, **同伴 (tóngbàn)** literally means "together-partner" or "same-accompanier." This fusion perfectly captures the essence of someone who is with you, sharing the same experience or purpose. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes group harmony and collective effort, the concept of a `同伴` is very natural. It reflects the idea that endeavors are often undertaken with others, not just alone. Having a `同伴` provides mutual support, safety, and shared memory, which are highly valued. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** In English, we might use "friend," "partner," or "companion." `同伴` is different. * **Friend (朋友):** A `朋友 (péngyou)` is based on affection and personal connection. You can have many friends you don't do specific activities with. A `同伴`, however, is defined by a shared activity. Your travel `同伴` might not be your best `朋友`, and your best `朋友` might not be your `同伴` on a specific trip. * **Partner:** In English, "partner" often implies a romantic relationship or a formal business arrangement. `同伴` is typically neutral and doesn't carry romantic or legal weight unless specified, as in `人生同伴 (rénshēng tóngbàn)` or "life partner." It's closer to "fellow" or "companion." * The term highlights the situational nature of many relationships. It acknowledges that we need different people to accompany us on different parts of our life's journey. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * `同伴` is a common and practical word used in everyday life. Its meaning is almost always clear from the context. * **Travel:** It's extremely common to talk about a `旅行同伴 (lǚxíng tóngbàn)` or "travel companion." People often look for a `同伴` online to split costs or for safety. * **Activities:** You can have a `同伴` for almost any activity: a concert, a hike, studying, or playing a game. * **Work/Study:** While `同事 (tóngshì)` (colleague) and `同学 (tóngxué)` (classmate) are more specific, you might refer to the person you are working on a project with as your `同伴` in that specific context. * **Connotation:** The word is generally neutral to positive. It implies a functional, supportive relationship. Calling someone your `同伴` is a statement of fact about a shared situation, but it often carries a warm feeling of shared experience. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我和我的**同伴**计划下个月去爬山。 * Pinyin: Wǒ hé wǒ de **tóngbàn** jìhuà xià ge yuè qù páshān. * English: My companion and I are planning to go mountain climbing next month. * Analysis: This is a classic example of `同伴` in the context of a shared activity (climbing). * **Example 2:** * 在这次艰难的旅程中，他是我最可靠的**同伴**。 * Pinyin: Zài zhè cì jiānnán de lǚchéng zhōng, tā shì wǒ zuì kěkào de **tóngbàn**. * English: During this difficult journey, he was my most reliable companion. * Analysis: Here, `同伴` carries a strong positive connotation, emphasizing support and reliability during a shared challenge. * **Example 3:** * 孩子们在公园里找到了新**同伴**一起玩耍。 * Pinyin: Háizi men zài gōngyuán lǐ zhǎodào le xīn **tóngbàn** yīqǐ wánshuǎ. * English: The children found new companions to play with in the park. * Analysis: This shows `同伴` used for playmates, people sharing the activity of "playing." * **Example 4:** * 作为一个独自旅行者，我有时会渴望有一个**同伴**。 * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè dúzì lǚxíng zhě, wǒ yǒushí huì kěwàng yǒu yīgè **tóngbàn**. * English: As a solo traveler, I sometimes wish I had a companion. * Analysis: This sentence highlights the feeling of needing someone to share an experience with. * **Example 5:** * 在实验室里，我们互为**同伴**，共同完成实验。 * Pinyin: Zài shíyànshì lǐ, wǒmen hù wéi **tóngbàn**, gòngtóng wánchéng shíyàn. * English: In the lab, we are companions to each other, completing the experiment together. * Analysis: This demonstrates `同伴` in a professional or academic setting, similar to a "partner" on a project. * **Example 6:** * 狗是人类忠实的**同伴**。 * Pinyin: Gǒu shì rénlèi zhōngshí de **tóngbàn**. * English: Dogs are loyal companions to humans. * Analysis: This extends the concept of `同伴` to animals, a very common usage. * **Example 7:** * 他不仅是我的生意伙伴，更是我的人生**同伴**。 * Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn shì wǒ de shēngyì huǒbàn, gèng shì wǒ de rénshēng **tóngbàn**. * English: He is not only my business partner, but also my life partner. * Analysis: This sentence uses the specific phrase `人生同伴 (rénshēng tóngbàn)` to explicitly mean a romantic life partner, contrasting it with another type of partner. * **Example 8:** * 探险队失去了几名**同伴**，但他们还是决定继续前进。 * Pinyin: Tànxiǎn duì shīqù le jǐ míng **tóngbàn**, dàn tāmen háishì juédìng jìxù qiánjìn. * English: The expedition team lost several comrades, but they decided to keep moving forward. * Analysis: In a high-stakes context like an expedition, `同伴` can take on the meaning of "comrade" or "fellow member." * **Example 9:** * 你需要找一个学习**同伴**来练习口语吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào zhǎo yīgè xuéxí **tóngbàn** lái liànxí kǒuyǔ ma? * English: Do you need to find a study companion to practice speaking? * Analysis: This is a very practical use case for language learners, highlighting the role of a `同伴` in achieving a goal. * **Example 10:** * 在陌生的城市里，能遇到一个**同伴**是件很幸运的事。 * Pinyin: Zài mòshēng de chéngshì lǐ, néng yù dào yīgè **tóngbàn** shì jiàn hěn xìngyùn de shì. * English: It's very fortunate to meet a companion in a strange city. * Analysis: This sentence captures the emotional comfort and relief that having a `同伴` can bring. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`同伴 (tóngbàn)` vs. `朋友 (péngyou)`:** This is the most common point of confusion. A `朋友` is a friend, a relationship based on affection. A `同伴` is a companion, a relationship based on a shared activity. * **Correct:** 他是我的旅行**同伴**。(He is my travel companion.) - //This is correct because it's tied to the activity of travel.// * **Incorrect (or at least awkward):** 他是我二十年的**同伴**。(He is my companion of 20 years.) - //This sounds strange. If you mean you've been friends for 20 years, you should say `他是我二十年的老朋友`. If you mean a life partner, you'd say `人生同伴`.// * **`同伴 (tóngbàn)` vs. `伙伴 (huǒbàn)`:** These are very close, but `伙伴 (huǒbàn)` often implies a more tightly-knit, collaborative relationship, like teammates working towards a common victory or business partners. `同伴` can be more passive—simply someone who is there with you. Think: `伙伴` = "partner/teammate," `同伴` = "companion/fellow." * **Example:** For a startup company, the founders are `创业伙伴 (chuàngyè huǒbàn)`. For two people who happen to be on the same tour bus, they are `同伴`. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[朋友]] (péngyou) - Friend. The most general term for a person you like and have a bond with. * [[伙伴]] (huǒbàn) - Partner; mate. Implies a closer, goal-oriented relationship, like a business partner or teammate. * [[同事]] (tóngshì) - Colleague; co-worker. Someone who works at the same company (`同` = same, `事` = work/affair). * [[同学]] (tóngxué) - Classmate. Someone who studies at the same school (`同` = same, `学` = study). * [[旅伴]] (lǚbàn) - Travel companion. A more specific word for `同伴` used only for travel. * [[陪伴]] (péibàn) - (Verb) To accompany. This is the action of being a `同伴`. * [[搭档]] (dādàng) - Partner; duo. Often used for pairs in performance, sports, or specific tasks (e.g., police partners, comedy duo). * [[配偶]] (pèi'ǒu) - Spouse. A very formal and legal term for a husband or wife.