Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'friend' depends on the closeness, context, and formality. The most common word is 友達 (ともだち), but there are many alternatives.
A person you have a bond of mutual affection with, typically not family or romantic partner.
The most common and neutral word for 'friend'. Suitable for most situations.
彼は私の友達です。
He is my friend.
友達と映画を見に行った。
I went to see a movie with a friend.
A slightly more formal term for 'friend', often used in writing or polite speech.
彼は私の古い友人です。
He is an old friend of mine.
A literary or poetic term for 'friend'. Not used in everyday conversation.
遠くの友を思う。
I think of a faraway friend.
A friend with whom you have a particularly strong bond.
A close friend, best friend. Implies a deep, trusting relationship.
彼女は私の親友です。
She is my best friend.
A close friend, often used in a slightly more casual or childish way. Can also describe the relationship itself.
A very best friend, emphasizing an extremely close bond. Somewhat emphatic.
A friend you have known since childhood.
A childhood friend, often with a nuance of having grown up together.
彼女は私の幼なじみです。
She is my childhood friend.
Literally 'a friend since childhood'. A more descriptive phrase.
彼は子供の頃からの友達だ。
He's a friend from when we were kids.
A friend in a casual, often male-oriented context, like a pal or mate.
A companion, mate, or member of one's group. Often used for friends who share an activity or goal.
彼は釣りの仲間だ。
He's my fishing buddy.
Slang for 'friend', derived from 友達 (ともだち). Used mainly by young men.
あいつは俺のダチだ。
That guy's my buddy.
A person you know and interact with primarily online.
Literally 'internet friend'. A straightforward way to refer to an online friend.
彼はネットの友達です。
He is an online friend.
Abbreviation of ネットの友達. Slang used mainly by younger people online.
ネッ友とゲームをする。
I play games with my online friend.
In Japanese, directly saying 'my friend' (私の友達) can sound overly possessive or unnatural in many contexts. Often, simply using the person's name or a title is more natural. Use 友達 without 私の unless clarification is needed.
友達とランチに行った。
I went to lunch with a friend.
友達 (ともだち) is the everyday word for friend. 友人 (ゆうじん) is more formal and often used in writing or polite speech. In casual conversation, 友達 is preferred.
あの二人は仲良しだ。
Those two are close friends.
彼は私の大親友だ。
He's my absolute best friend.