“Friend” in Japanese is 友達 (ともだち), pronounced tomodachi.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Friend. A close friend is 親友 (shin’yū), a best friend.
Example sentences
- 友達と映画を見ました。ともだちとえいがをみました。I watched a film with a friend.
- 日本人の友達がいます。にほんじんのともだちがいます。I have a Japanese friend.
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| best friend | 親友 | しんゆう shin’yū |
Quick practice
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FAQ
How do you say friend in Japanese?
Friend in Japanese is 友達 (ともだち), pronounced “tomodachi”.
How do you write friend in Japanese?
It's written 友達 with kanji, or ともだち in hiragana. Both are read tomodachi.
Is 友達 on the JLPT?
Yes. 友達 (tomodachi) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.