Word Detail

The Japanese word 同行, read as どうこう (doukou), primarily means "to accompany," "to go with," "to travel with," or "to go along with." It implies sharing the same path, journey, or activity with someone else. The act of 同行 suggests a shared experience and can range from a simple walk together to a more formal travel arrangement. It emphasizes the concept of being together, either physically or metaphorically, in the same endeavor. The meaning of 同行 is always in relation to someone or something else. ⚫︎ It suggests a level of participation or involvement. ⚫︎ It implies that one person is 同行ing, literally or figuratively, with another.

⚫︎ 彼らは一緒に旅行に同行しました。 Translation: They traveled together. ⚫︎ 私は彼女に病院まで同行しました。 Translation: I accompanied her to the hospital. ⚫︎ 彼は社長に同行して、海外出張に行きました。 Translation: He accompanied the president on a business trip abroad.

同行 is a versatile word, appropriate for formal and informal situations, depending on the context. ⚫︎ Use it when you are discussing accompanying someone. ⚫︎ Can be used to describe physically going with someone. ⚫︎ It can also be used metaphorically, such as when supporting a cause or sharing an opinion. ⚫︎ Generally, it is not used for a one-way activity; both parties are actively or passively involved in the act.

同行 is written with the kanji 同 (dou - same) and 行 (kou - go, journey). The reading is どうこう in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is fixed. 同行 itself, the base form, is the most common and standard way of using the word.

⚫︎ 付き添う (tsukisou) - to attend, to accompany (often for care or support). ⚫︎ 一緒に行く (issho ni iku) - to go together. ⚫︎ 付き合う (tsukiau) - to associate with, to go with. ⚫︎ 同伴する (douhansuru) - to accompany, to be in attendance. This is a more formal synonym. ⚫︎ 随行する (zuikousuru) - to accompany, (especially of a subordinate to a superior). ⚫︎ 連れ立つ (tsuredatsu) - to go together, to accompany.

⚫︎ 別れる (wakareru) - to part, to separate. ⚫︎ 単独で (tandoku de) - alone, on one's own. ⚫︎ 一人で行く (hitori de iku) - to go alone.

私は彼女の引っ越しに同行することになりました。 ・Translation: I decided to accompany her during her move. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the speaker offering assistance and support by physically being present during the moving process.

彼は上司の指示に従い、重要な会議に同行した。 ・Translation: He followed his boss's instructions and accompanied him to an important meeting. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the context of a professional situation where one individual is attending the meeting alongside a senior colleague.

The kanji 同 (dou) means "same," "together," or "alike," while 行 (kou) means "to go," "to travel," or "to do." Therefore, the combination of these characters creates the meaning of "going together" or "doing the same thing together." This accurately reflects the core meaning of 同行 - a shared action or journey.