Japanese word

親友

Pronunciation

Romajishin'yū

Meaning

  • nounbest friend

Example

私は親友と映画を見ます。watashi wa shin yū to ei ga o mi ma su

I watch a movie with my best friend.

Illustration for 親友 (best friend)

More examples

困ったときは、親友に相談します。koma tta to ki wa shin yū ni sō dan shi ma su

When I have a problem, I ask my best friend for advice.

Core concept

Describes a friend whose bond is closer and more trusted than an ordinary friendship.

Common phrases

  • 親友と話すshin yū to hana su

    talk with a best friend

  • 親友になるshin yū ni na ru

    become best friends

  • 親友に相談するshin yū ni sō dan su ru

    ask a best friend for advice

Similar words

友達tomodachi: A person with whom one has a friendly relationship in everyday life.
友人yūjin: A person regarded as a friend, especially in neutral or formal language.

Definition in Japanese

深い信頼関係で結ばれた、特に親しい友人。fuka i shin rai kan kei de musu ba re ta toku ni shita shi i yū jin

Word origin

Combines 親 (shin, "close") and 友 (yū, "friend"), giving the word its sense of a deeply close friend.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 親友 (shin'yū) describes a particularly close relationship and is stronger than 友達 (tomodachi, "friend").

Other meanings

  • close friendnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word