relationship · companion

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 仲 refers to a relationship between people and is read なか as a standalone word.
• Basic usage: 仲がいい means to be on good terms; 仲間, read なかま, means companions or people doing something together.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A relationship and the inside of a space
  • Relationship-related 仲 and 中 meaning inside a box can both be read なか, but their characters and meanings differ.
  • The 仲 in 仲がいい is not replaced by the spatial 中.
• Companions and making up
  • 仲間 can be people sharing an activity, not only workplace colleagues.
  • 仲直り, read なかなおり, means making up and restoring a relationship after a quarrel.