知ち己き朋ほう友ゆう

Meanings

1

noun

intimate friends and acquaintances

yojijukugo (four-character idiom)

A yojijukugo referring to one's circle of close friends and trusted acquaintances. Somewhat literary and formal.

彼かれは知ち己き朋ほう友ゆうに恵めぐまれ、充じゅう実じつした人じん生せいを送おくった。
He was blessed with intimate friends and acquaintances, and lived a fulfilling life.

friend

Similar words

親しん友ゆう
親友 is a close friend, while 知己朋友 is a broader, more formal term encompassing both close friends and trusted acquaintances.
知ち人じん
知人 is a neutral term for an acquaintance, lacking the intimacy implied by 知己朋友.

Etymology

A yojijukugo composed of 知己 (intimate friend) and 朋友 (friend/companion). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows the typical pattern of combining synonymous compounds for emphasis.