旧友

kyūyū

noun★Intermediate💡 old friend

formal

A friend from the past, typically someone you knew for a long time ago.

十年ぶりに旧友と再会した。

I reunited with an old friend after ten years.

💡

Often used in contexts where the friendship has lasted for years, even if contact has been infrequent.

Collocations

旧友と再会するreunite with an old friend旧友を訪ねるvisit an old friend

Synonyms

友人古い友達昔の友達

Antonyms

新しい友達知り合い

💡Pro Tip

Avoid overusing in casual contexts

While '旧友' is polite and formal, it can sound overly sentimental in everyday conversation. Use '友達' or '友人' for casual contexts.

⚡Gold Rule

Contrast with '友人'

'旧友' implies a long-standing friendship, whereas '友人' is a general term for a friend without temporal implications.

📖Word Origin

Composed of 旧 (old, former) and 友 (friend). The term emphasizes the longevity of the friendship, distinguishing it from casual acquaintances or new friends.

📝Usage Notes

Unlike '友人' (friend), which is neutral, '旧友' carries a sense of nostalgia and history. It is commonly used in personal narratives, memoirs, or when reminiscing about the past.

Word Breakdown

旧

old, former

root

友

friend

root

和英辞典

旧友

kyūyū

noun★Intermediate💡 old friend

formal

A friend from the past, typically someone you knew for a long time ago.

十年ぶりに旧友と再会した。

I reunited with an old friend after ten years.

💡

Often used in contexts where the friendship has lasted for years, even if contact has been infrequent.

Collocations

旧友と再会するreunite with an old friend旧友を訪ねるvisit an old friend

Synonyms

友人古い友達昔の友達

Antonyms

新しい友達知り合い

💡Pro Tip

Avoid overusing in casual contexts

While '旧友' is polite and formal, it can sound overly sentimental in everyday conversation. Use '友達' or '友人' for casual contexts.

⚡Gold Rule

Contrast with '友人'

'旧友' implies a long-standing friendship, whereas '友人' is a general term for a friend without temporal implications.

📖Word Origin

Composed of 旧 (old, former) and 友 (friend). The term emphasizes the longevity of the friendship, distinguishing it from casual acquaintances or new friends.

📝Usage Notes

Unlike '友人' (friend), which is neutral, '旧友' carries a sense of nostalgia and history. It is commonly used in personal narratives, memoirs, or when reminiscing about the past.

Word Breakdown

旧

old, former

root

友

friend

root

和英辞典