Meaning and Usage
"お供" (おとも) primarily means "attendant" or "companion," referring to someone who accompanies another person, often in formal or respectful contexts. It can describe a person who goes along with someone important, such as a boss or a family member, providing support or company.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in business or formal situations when describing someone accompanying a superior or in social contexts when a companion accompanies another person. It also appears in religious or ceremonial contexts as "お供え物" (おそなえもの), meaning offerings placed at altars.
Collocations and Patterns
- お供に行く: to go as a companion or attendant
- お供え物: offerings (usually to gods or ancestors)
- お供をする: to accompany someone
Register and Nuance
"お供" carries a polite and somewhat formal nuance. It is not commonly used in casual conversation to refer to friends or casual companions. Instead, it implies a role of support or duty.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "お供" with casual words for companion like "友達" (friend) or "仲間" (companion). Remember that "お供" implies a formal or respectful accompaniment, often in a service or ceremonial role.