Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common word for 'friends' is 友達 (ともだち). However, the way you refer to friends depends heavily on context, closeness, and formality. Japanese often uses names with honorifics instead of a generic word for 'friend'.
Referring to friends in a neutral, everyday sense.
The standard, neutral word for 'friend' or 'friends'. Can be used for one friend or multiple friends. Plurality is often inferred from context.
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 friends.
A slightly more formal term for 'friend', often used in writing or polite speech. Can sound a bit distant in casual conversation.
彼は私の古い友人です。
He is an old friend of mine.
A literary or poetic term for 'friend'. Often used in songs, poems, or compound words. Not common in everyday speech.
遠くの友を思う。
I think of a faraway friend.
Referring to close or intimate friends.
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 for children or in a lighthearted way. Can also describe the relationship itself (being on good terms).
Slang for 'friend', derived from 友達. Used mainly by young people, especially males. Can sound rough.
あいつは俺のダチだ。
That guy is my buddy.
In Japanese, people often use names with honorifics instead of a word for 'friend'.
Instead of saying 'my friend', Japanese speakers often refer to friends by their name with an appropriate honorific. さん is polite/neutral, くん is often for male friends or juniors, ちゃん is for close friends (often female) or children.
田中さんは私の友達です。
Tanaka-san is my friend.
明日、花子ちゃんと遊ぶ。
I'm hanging out with Hanako-chan tomorrow.
Referring to a group of friends or companions.
Companion, mate, or member of one's group. Emphasizes belonging to the same circle, team, or shared activity.
彼はサークルの仲間です。
He is a friend from my club.
仕事の仲間と飲みに行った。
I went out for drinks with my work buddies.
Companion, often used when going somewhere together. Can be used for a friend or partner.
連れと一緒に来てください。
Please come with your friend/partner.
Referring to friends made online or through social media.
Online friend. A straightforward compound of ネット (internet) and 友達.
ネット友達と初めて会った。
I met an online friend for the first time.
Follower (on social media). Not exactly 'friend', but often used in the context of online connections.
フォロワーが増えた。
My followers increased.
Saying '私の友達' (my friend) is grammatically correct but can sound overly explanatory or redundant in Japanese. Often, simply using the friend's name or implying the relationship through context is more natural.
友達とランチした。
I had lunch with a friend.
友達 is the most common, everyday word. 友人 is more formal and often used in writing or polite speech. 仲間 implies a shared activity or group membership, like teammates or colleagues, and carries a sense of camaraderie.
Those two are close friends.