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友達
tomodachi
friend
彼は私の友達です。
He is my friend.
informal
A person whom one knows and trusts; a companion.
友達と一緒に映画を見に行きました。
I went to see a movie with my friend.
彼女は私の大切な友達です。
She is an important friend of mine.
友達 emphasizes a close, personal relationship. In business contexts, 同僚 (dōryō, colleague) is used instead.
Pro Tip
Casual vs. Formal
Use 友達 (tomodachi) for casual contexts. For formal or polite contexts, use 友人 (yūjin).
Word Origin
From 友 (tomo, 'friend') + 達 (pluralizing suffix), indicating 'friends' or 'companions'. The kanji 友 dates back to classical Chinese, while 達 is a Japanese suffix indicating plurality or honorifics.
Usage Notes
友達 is the most common and casual term for 'friend' in Japanese. It is used across all age groups and social contexts. Unlike English, Japanese does not distinguish between 'friend' and 'companion' in the same way. The plural form is 友達たち or simply 友達 (context-dependent).
Word Breakdown
友
friend
root達
pluralizing suffix (indicates 'friends' or 'companions')
suffix和英辞典