Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'good friend' depends on the depth of the relationship, context, and formality. Direct translations exist, but natural usage often involves specific terms or phrases that convey closeness.
To refer to a close or good friend in a neutral, everyday context.
The most direct and common term for a close or best friend. Implies a deep, trusting relationship.
He is my good friend.
I went on a trip with my good friend.
Refers to a close friend, often with a warm, affectionate nuance. Can be used for both people and relationships.
She and I are good friends.
I hung out with my good friend.
A literal translation of 'good friend'. It is understandable but less idiomatic than 親友 or 仲良し. Often used in explanations or when emphasizing the quality of the friendship.
He is a really good friend.
To emphasize a singular, irreplaceable best friend.
Also used for 'best friend'. Context usually clarifies the intensity.
She is my best friend.
An emphatic form of 親友, meaning 'great friend' or 'best friend'. Conveys an even stronger bond.
Loanword from English. Used casually, especially among younger people, but can sound slightly affected.
To refer to a friend from childhood, often implying a long-standing, close relationship.
Specifically means a childhood friend. Carries a strong sense of shared history and closeness.
He is my childhood friend (and a good friend).
To refer to a good friend in very casual, often male-oriented speech.
Slang for 'friend', derived from 友達 (ともだち). Used mainly by young men. Implies a close, buddy-like relationship.
That guy is my good buddy.
Casual term for a companion or friend, often used in Kansai dialect but understood nationwide. Can imply a close friend.
While 良い友達 (よいともだち) is grammatically correct, it can sound like a direct translation from English and is less natural than 親友 or 仲良し in most contexts. Reserve it for when you need to explicitly describe the quality of the friendship.
親友 implies a deep, almost familial bond and is often used for a singular best friend. 仲良し is warmer and can describe a mutual close relationship, sometimes used for pairs or groups. 仲良し can also be used as an adjective (仲良しの友達).
She is a good friend of mine.
We've been good friends since childhood.
He is my very best friend.
She is my best friend.
I'm going out to eat with my good friend.