友 達(ともだち)

ともだち

noun

friend

informalperson

1. friend

A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

友達(ともだち)と映画(えいが)を見(み)た。

I watched a movie with a friend.

新(あたら)しい友達(ともだち)ができた。

I made a new friend.

友達(ともだち)の家(いえ)に遊(あそ)びに行(い)ってきた。

I went over to my friend's house to hang out.

小学校(しょうがっこう)のとき、友達(ともだち)と毎日(まいにち)外(そと)で遊(あそ)んでいた。

When I was in elementary school, I played outside with my friends every day.

大学(だいがく)で出会(であ)った友達(ともだち)とは今(いま)でも時々(ときどき)会(あ)って、一緒(いっしょ)にごはんを食(た)べている。

I still meet up with friends I made in university from time to time and eat together.

友達(ともだち) is the most common word for "friend" in everyday Japanese.

Common expressions

友達(ともだち)になる: to become friends
友達(ともだち)ができる: to make a friend
友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)ぶ: to hang out with friends
友達(ともだち)を作(つく)る: to make friends

Similar words

友人(ゆうじん): friend (more formal, written style)
親友(しんゆう): close friend, best friend
仲間(なかま): companion, comrade (group context)
知(し)り合(あ)い: acquaintance

Usage

友達(ともだち) already contains 達(たち) (plural suffix) but is used for both singular and plural. You can say 友達(ともだち)たち for emphasis on multiple friends.

Related Words

Synonym: 友人(ゆうじん) (formal)

Compare: 親友(しんゆう) (close friend, best friend)

Compare: 仲間(なかま) (companion, comrade)

Compare: 知(し)り合(あ)い (acquaintance)

basic

Added 2026.1.8 21:35 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

01000/01478_tomodachi