<p>Both meanings are in use now. </p>

<p>While President Hu reviews the People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong in June this year. He shouted 同志們好 and 同志們辛苦了. (Thanks for the hard work comrade!)</p>

<p>In the Pride parade in Hong Kong last month. It is named 香港同志遊行. And artist HOCC came out by shouting 我係同志.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-05T08:11:06.530Z
Well I guess it proves the part of @Bert post that official Chinese media (in the mainland) and official documents don't accept this meaning.
Denis Kucherov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-05T10:35:08.810Z
In Hong Kong, 同志 means gay or the way the Chinese Communist Party members call themselves.
Lai
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-05T03:07:34.497Z
2012-12-05T03:07:34.497Z
Lai
<p>I'm not sure in what instance you'd be using 同志 nowadays anyway. Are you in the army? Do you actually have comrades? Or is this purely hypothetical?</p>

<p>From my experience with the language, if you want to call someone gay, people would say:</p>

<pre><code>他是个同性恋 - tong2 xing4 lian4 
</code></pre>

<p>Or, to say someone is not necessarily gay, but they're acting effeminate:</p>

<pre><code>他很娘娘腔 niang2 niang qiang1, or simply, 他很娘
</code></pre>

<p>or, idiomatically:</p>

<pre><code>断袖之癖 duan4 xiu4 zhi1 pi3
</code></pre>

<p>(Actually, this idiom has a pretty neat back story. Basically, Emperor Han Ai Di was in bed with his man lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, whose head was resting on the emperor's robe's sleeve, he had to cut the sleeve off (断袖)).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-22T06:06:08.203Z
I remember a ChinesePod lesson in which a policeman is addressed as 警察同志. ChinesePod's focus is on actually used modern language and the dialogues are written by native speakers, so it looks like this is still in use.
米好 '-'
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T23:02:35.083Z
I wouldn't say 'acting a bit gay'. Just effeminate. Gay people don't always act in a certain way.
deutschZuid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T23:26:01.670Z
@JamesJiao Corrected.
user3871
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-30T06:51:03.223Z
I'm not a soldier. This was hypothetical question. Just to improve knowledge.
Denis Kucherov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-03T08:30:46.423Z
what about between members of the party?
Matthew Rudy 马泰
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-03T21:26:55.240Z
Also, I'd like to point out that 同志 gets plenty of use in referring to gay people. Google "同志网" to find many many gay community websites.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T16:17:09.380Z
2012-11-29T23:25:18.023Z
2012-11-29T23:25:18.023Z
user3871
<p>If you say 同志 in a formal circumstances or talking to elder people, then it is totally appropriate and respectful. If you use it online or in a younger community, most people would think it means gay nowadays. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-22T03:31:15.543Z
2016-12-22T03:31:15.543Z
Jay Wang
<p>"同志" literally refers to someone else with a "common" purpose (with you). During the Maoist era, the connotation was "comrade," in the context of "Communist" or "party member." </p>

<p>Nowadays, the connotation may be that GENDER is what someone (and a lover) may have in common. That would translate into "homo" or "gay." </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-03T20:26:31.740Z
2013-02-03T20:26:31.740Z
Tom Au
<p>hello, I am a Chinese, I live in Liaoning, and the following content is all translation software, which may not be accurate. First of all, at present (at least in Chinese Mainland), the word '同志' does not mean 'homosexual'. If I hear someone calling me gay on the street and asking me to help, I will be happy to help him. In fact, in China, the word '同志' currently represents people with the same ideals, with the same heart, People with common goals and aspirations are comrades</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-27T13:18:31.160Z
2023-08-27T13:18:31.160Z
AS_D
<p>I think people normally don't say that anymore, only if they work for the government. Ordinary people nowadays stopped calling others 同志 because now it has another meaning, which is gay or lesbian.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-21T06:21:41.360Z
2016-12-21T06:21:41.360Z
Yan Zhou
<p>People born in 70s or before won't consider this word the translation of gay. So be careful when you speak this word with young ones.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T23:03:36.283Z
This should've been a comment to the question.
deutschZuid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-30T06:59:59.247Z
ok. even though I don't really see situations when I can use this word. I will take this information into account.
Denis Kucherov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-30T11:00:39.320Z
@baboonWorksFine: The age range you mention is a quite arbitrary. The people I know born in the 70s all seem to know the second meaning and very few people would still use 同志 in daily life with its original meaning.
BertR
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T17:53:38.183Z
2012-11-29T17:53:38.183Z
Rn2dy
<p>Yes it is true. The official word for somebody who is gay is 同性恋者 (tóngxìngliànzhě), but in recent years 同志 (tóngzhì) is frequently used as slang for somebody who is gay.</p>

<p>From <a href="http://baike.baidu.com/view/2198.htm">Baidu</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>1989年，香港人林奕华将自己筹划的首届同性恋电影节命名为《香港同志电影节》，这可能是这层意义的开端。（最晚是）从此开始，在中国大陆之外的中文地区，如台湾、香港、新加坡、马来西亚等，“同志”一词逐渐演变成对同性恋者的另一个称呼。用的时候并不是如“某某同志”这样作称谓用，而是“某某是一个同志”、“某某参加了一个同志团体”这样。这种用法起先在同性恋群体中使用，后来影响逐渐扩大，上述地区的社会各界都采纳了这个用法，例如台北市政府民政局就在《认识同志手册2001年版》中写道：“市长爱同志”。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The most relevant parts:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>1989年，香港人林奕华将自己筹划的首届同性恋电影节命名为《香港同志电影节》，这可能是这层意义的开端</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In 1989, the Hongkonger 林奕华 named the first edition of his gay film festival "香港同志电影节"</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>从此开始，在中国大陆之外的中文地区，如台湾、香港、新加坡、马来西亚等，“同志”一词逐渐演变成对同性恋者的另一个称呼。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>From then on, in China and other Chinese speaking parts such as Taiwan, Hong kong, Singapore, Malaysia, “同志” gradually became the name for gays (and lesbians).</p>

<p>Further on the same page you can read:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>近年进入大陆后，由于绝大多数年轻人已经不再使用“同志”这个词汇，使得这层含义反而后来居上。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In recent years after the introduction in China most young people stopped to use the word “同志” due to its implicit meaning.</p>

<p>and</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>尽管这一层新的含义在大陆地区也被越来越多的人所知晓并使用，不过中华人民共和国官方媒体和文件对这一外延含义基本不予采纳。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Despite its implicit meaning in China which is known and used my more and more people, the official Chinese media (in the mainland) and official documents don't accept this meaning.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-08T10:11:06.900Z
革命尚未成功，同志仍需努力！！
CyberPlayerOne
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-22T04:31:20.393Z
Actually the CPC recently emphasized that the members should call each other 同志, rather than their official titles, to show the equality. In ordinary life,  when you call someone 同志 out of this political context, they might think you are weird.
Huang
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-12-07T15:11:13.007Z
As a side note, 同志 can also be used to refer to bisexual and transgendered people.
Krazer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T14:03:56.003Z
2012-11-29T14:17:10.713Z
2012-11-29T14:17:10.713Z
BertR
<p>Is it true that 同志 has some different meaning? Like gay (as in homosexual) or something? I know that during the 20th century in China and communist Russia it was very common to call people 同志 (товарищ, comrade). So is it wrong to call someone 同志 in China nowadays?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-29T18:48:08.177Z
Short answer: Yes! I do not recommend calling someone a 同志
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-19T07:37:32.673Z
For men, call 先生。For women, call 小姐 (But don't use this in mainland China.)
velut luna
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-21T04:01:24.980Z
TV series watchers know that policemen are often addressed as 同志，the traditional way of addressing party gatherings  attended by some non-party members has been,同志们，朋友们! Comrades and Friends!
user6065
<meaning>
Another meaning of 同志
# Another meaning of 同志

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-11-29)

Is it true that 同志 has some different meaning? Like gay (as in homosexual) or something? I know that during the 20th century in China and communist Russia it was very common to call people 同志 (товарищ, comrade). So is it wrong to call someone 同志 in China nowadays?

**Tags:** meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Short answer: Yes! I do not recommend calling someone a 同志  
> **username_2**: For men, call 先生。For women, call 小姐 (But don't use this in mainland China.)  
> **username_3**: TV series watchers know that policemen are often addressed as 同志，the traditional way of addressing party gatherings  attended by some non-party members has been,同志们，朋友们! Comrades and Friends!  

---

## 8 answers

### Answer by username_14 on 2012-11-29. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

Yes it is true. The official word for somebody who is gay is 同性恋者 (tóngxìngliànzhě), but in recent years 同志 (tóngzhì) is frequently used as slang for somebody who is gay.

From [Baidu](http://baike.baidu.com/view/2198.htm):

> 1989年，香港人林奕华将自己筹划的首届同性恋电影节命名为《香港同志电影节》，这可能是这层意义的开端。（最晚是）从此开始，在中国大陆之外的中文地区，如台湾、香港、新加坡、马来西亚等，“同志”一词逐渐演变成对同性恋者的另一个称呼。用的时候并不是如“某某同志”这样作称谓用，而是“某某是一个同志”、“某某参加了一个同志团体”这样。这种用法起先在同性恋群体中使用，后来影响逐渐扩大，上述地区的社会各界都采纳了这个用法，例如台北市政府民政局就在《认识同志手册2001年版》中写道：“市长爱同志”。

The most relevant parts:

> 1989年，香港人林奕华将自己筹划的首届同性恋电影节命名为《香港同志电影节》，这可能是这层意义的开端

In 1989, the Hongkonger 林奕华 named the first edition of his gay film festival "香港同志电影节"

> 从此开始，在中国大陆之外的中文地区，如台湾、香港、新加坡、马来西亚等，“同志”一词逐渐演变成对同性恋者的另一个称呼。

From then on, in China and other Chinese speaking parts such as Taiwan, Hong kong, Singapore, Malaysia, “同志” gradually became the name for gays (and lesbians).

Further on the same page you can read:

> 近年进入大陆后，由于绝大多数年轻人已经不再使用“同志”这个词汇，使得这层含义反而后来居上。

In recent years after the introduction in China most young people stopped to use the word “同志” due to its implicit meaning.

and

> 尽管这一层新的含义在大陆地区也被越来越多的人所知晓并使用，不过中华人民共和国官方媒体和文件对这一外延含义基本不予采纳。

Despite its implicit meaning in China which is known and used my more and more people, the official Chinese media (in the mainland) and official documents don't accept this meaning.

> **Comments:**
> **username_17**: As a side note, 同志 can also be used to refer to bisexual and transgendered people.  
> **username_15**: 革命尚未成功，同志仍需努力！！  
> **username_16**: Actually the CPC recently emphasized that the members should call each other 同志, rather than their official titles, to show the equality. In ordinary life,  when you call someone 同志 out of this political context, they might think you are weird.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2012-12-05. Score: 6

Both meanings are in use now.

While President Hu reviews the People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong in June this year. He shouted 同志們好 and 同志們辛苦了. (Thanks for the hard work comrade!)

In the Pride parade in Hong Kong last month. It is named 香港同志遊行. And artist HOCC came out by shouting 我係同志.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Well I guess it proves the part of @Bert post that official Chinese media (in the mainland) and official documents don't accept this meaning.  
> **username_4**: In Hong Kong, 同志 means gay or the way the Chinese Communist Party members call themselves.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2012-11-29. Score: 2

I'm not sure in what instance you'd be using 同志 nowadays anyway. Are you in the army? Do you actually have comrades? Or is this purely hypothetical?
From my experience with the language, if you want to call someone gay, people would say:
他是个同性恋 - tong2 xing4 lian4 

Or, to say someone is not necessarily gay, but they're acting effeminate:
他很娘娘腔 niang2 niang qiang1, or simply, 他很娘

or, idiomatically:
断袖之癖 duan4 xiu4 zhi1 pi3

(Actually, this idiom has a pretty neat back story. Basically, Emperor Han Ai Di was in bed with his man lover Dong Xian, and had to attend a court audience that morning. Not wishing to awaken Dong Xian, whose head was resting on the emperor's robe's sleeve, he had to cut the sleeve off (断袖)).

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: I wouldn't say 'acting a bit gay'. Just effeminate. Gay people don't always act in a certain way.  
> **username_5**: @JamesJiao Corrected.  
> **username_0**: I'm not a soldier. This was hypothetical question. Just to improve knowledge.  
> **username_8**: what about between members of the party?  
> **username_1**: Also, I'd like to point out that 同志 gets plenty of use in referring to gay people. Google "同志网" to find many many gay community websites.  
> **username_6**: I remember a ChinesePod lesson in which a policeman is addressed as 警察同志. ChinesePod's focus is on actually used modern language and the dialogues are written by native speakers, so it looks like this is still in use.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2016-12-22. Score: 1

If you say 同志 in a formal circumstances or talking to elder people, then it is totally appropriate and respectful. If you use it online or in a younger community, most people would think it means gay nowadays.


---

### Answer by username_10 on 2013-02-03. Score: 1

"同志" literally refers to someone else with a "common" purpose (with you). During the Maoist era, the connotation was "comrade," in the context of "Communist" or "party member."

Nowadays, the connotation may be that GENDER is what someone (and a lover) may have in common. That would translate into "homo" or "gay."


---

### Answer by username_11 on 2023-08-27. Score: 1

hello, I am a Chinese, I live in Liaoning, and the following content is all translation software, which may not be accurate. First of all, at present (at least in Chinese Mainland), the word '同志' does not mean 'homosexual'. If I hear someone calling me gay on the street and asking me to help, I will be happy to help him. In fact, in China, the word '同志' currently represents people with the same ideals, with the same heart, People with common goals and aspirations are comrades


---

### Answer by username_12 on 2016-12-21. Score: 1

I think people normally don't say that anymore, only if they work for the government. Ordinary people nowadays stopped calling others 同志 because now it has another meaning, which is gay or lesbian.


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2012-11-29. Score: 1

People born in 70s or before won't consider this word the translation of gay. So be careful when you speak this word with young ones.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: This should've been a comment to the question.  
> **username_0**: ok. even though I don't really see situations when I can use this word. I will take this information into account.  
> **username_14**: @baboonWorksFine: The age range you mention is a quite arbitrary. The people I know born in the 70s all seem to know the second meaning and very few people would still use 同志 in daily life with its original meaning.  

---

