‘同辈’ literally means ‘same generation’—‘同’ (tóng) means ‘same’ or ‘together,’ and ‘辈’ (bèi) refers to a generation, cohort, or age group. Together, the term denotes people who belong to the same generational level, especially in social, familial, or professional contexts. It emphasizes equality in age or status rather than blood relation or formal hierarchy.

This word is commonly used in discussions about social roles, workplace dynamics, family structure, and education. Unlike ‘朋友’ (friend), which focuses on personal relationship, ‘同辈’ highlights shared life stage or societal position—e.g., classmates, colleagues of similar seniority, or cousins of the same generation. It carries a neutral, slightly formal tone and appears frequently in essays, news reports, and sociological commentary.