Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to an 'old friend' depends on the length and nature of the friendship, as well as the context. The most common and natural expressions are 昔の友達 (mukashi no tomodachi) for a friend from the past, and 古い友人 (furui yūjin) for a long-standing friend. There is no single direct equivalent that covers all nuances.
Referring to a friend you haven't seen in a long time, or someone you were friends with in the past.
The most common and natural way to say 'old friend' when referring to a friend from the past. It emphasizes the time that has passed since the friendship was active.
Yesterday, I ran into an old friend by chance.
He is an old friend of mine (from the past).
A slightly more formal or literary term for an old friend, often used in writing or formal speech. It carries a nostalgic tone.
I'm looking forward to reuniting with my old friend.
Refers to an old acquaintance or friend from the past, often with a sense of familiarity. It can be used for people or places.
He's an old friend of mine; we used to play together a lot.
Referring to a friend you have known for a long time and are still in contact with.
Used for a friend you have known for a long time, emphasizing the duration of the friendship. Slightly more formal than 昔の友達.
He is an old friend of mine; we've known each other for 20 years.
Literally 'friend of many years', this emphasizes the long duration of the friendship. It is natural and commonly used.
Means 'close friend' or 'best friend'. It can imply a long-standing, deep friendship, but the focus is on closeness rather than duration.
Expressing 'old friend' in a casual, affectionate way, sometimes with a masculine or feminine nuance.
Similar to 古い友人 but more casual. It can be used for friends of any gender.
He's an old friend, so you don't have to be formal.
Slang for 'friend', derived from 友達 (tomodachi). Often used by young men. Can be combined with 昔 (mukashi) to mean 'old buddy'.
I met up with an old buddy for the first time in a while.
The English phrase 'old friend' can be ambiguous. In Japanese, you must distinguish between a friend from the past (昔の友達) and a friend of long standing (古い友人). Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often omit explicit 'friend' words and instead use the person's name with appropriate context, especially if the friendship is already understood.
I'm meeting Taro tomorrow. He's an old friend.
She is a long-time friend; I can talk to her about anything.
彼は私の親友で、子供の頃から知っている。
He is my close friend; I've known him since childhood.