Japanese word

友好

Pronunciation

Romajiyūkō

Meaning

  • nounfriendship

Example

両国は友好を深めます。ryō koku wa yū kō o fuka me ma su

The two countries deepen their friendship.

Illustration for 友好 (friendship)

More examples

率直な対話は近隣諸国の友好を支えます。sot choku na tai wa wa kin rin sho koku no yū kō o sasa e ma su

Open dialogue supports friendship between neighboring countries.

Core concept

It presents people, groups, or countries as connected by mutual goodwill and a friendly bond.

Common phrases

  • 友好を深めるyū kō o fuka me ru

    deepen friendship

  • 友好を促進するyū kō o soku shin su ru

    promote friendship

Similar words

親善shinzen: Goodwill and a friendly relationship between groups or countries, especially in formal relations.
友情yūjō: A close bond of affection and trust between friends.

Definition in Japanese

人や団体、国などが互いに好意を示し、親しい関係にあること。hito ya dan tai kuni na do ga taga i ni kō i o shime shi shita shi i kan kei ni a ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound joins 友 (yū, "friend") with 好 (kō, "liking"), linking friendship with a favorable attitude toward others.

Usage tips

  • Japanese news and diplomatic language often uses 友好 (yūkō) for relations between countries, where the word suggests stable goodwill rather than personal closeness.

Other meanings

  • goodwillnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 友好的yūkōtekifriendlyna-adjective
  • 友好度yūkōdodegree of friendlinessnoun

Word lists with this word