Japanese word

友達

Pronunciation

Romajitomodachi

Meaning

  • nounfriend

Example

友達と話します。tomo dachi to hana shi ma su

I talk with a friend.

Illustration for 友達 (friend)

More examples

私は友達と遊びます。watashi wa tomo dachi to aso bi ma su

I play with my friend.

休みの日は友達と映画を見ます。yasu mi no hi wa tomo dachi to ei ga o mi ma su

I watch a movie with a friend on my day off.

Core concept

Refers to someone with whom a person shares a friendly personal connection.

Common phrases

  • 友達と話すtomo dachi to hana su

    talk with a friend

  • 友達に会うtomo dachi ni a u

    meet a friend

  • 友達を作るtomo dachi o tsuku ru

    make friends

Similar words

友人yūjin: A person with whom someone has a friendly personal relationship, often in formal or written contexts.

Definition in Japanese

親しい関係にあり、気軽に付き合う相手。shita shi i kan kei ni a ri ki garu ni tsu ki a u ai te

Word origin

友達 (tomodachi, "friend") is formed from 友 (tomo, "companion") and 達 (tachi, a suffix for a group), but it commonly refers to a single friend in modern Japanese.

Usage tips

  • The word 友達 (tomodachi) is common in everyday speech and can describe both a schoolmate and a friend known outside school.

Opposites

Word lists with this word