朋友
péngyounoun★Beginner
informal
Friend; someone with whom one has a close, mutual bond of affection and trust
他是我最好的朋友。
He is my best friend.
我们是从小一起长大的朋友。
We are friends who grew up together.
💡
The term can refer to both close friends and acquaintances, depending on context.
Collocations
好朋友close friend朋友圈circle of friends朋友关系friendship
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
朋友如手足proverb
Friends are like hands and feet (idiom for close friendship)
朋友多了路好走proverb
The more friends you have, the easier life becomes (proverb)
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
While '朋友' is neutral, in formal contexts, '同事' (colleague) or '熟人' (acquaintance) may be more appropriate.
⚡Gold Rule
Mutual Relationship
In Chinese, '朋友' implies a mutual relationship. Do not use it unilaterally.
📖Word Origin
Composed of '朋' (péng, meaning 'friend' or 'companion') and '友' (yǒu, meaning 'friend'), emphasizing mutual affection and trust.
📝Usage Notes
In Chinese, '朋友' is a neutral term that can refer to both close friends and casual acquaintances. For very close friends, '好朋友' or '挚友' is often used.
Word Breakdown
朋
companion, friend
root友
friend
root✎ Noted on May 31, 2026ZH → EN