1.
close friend, best friend, intimate friend
A friend with whom one has a very close and trusting relationship.
親友 implies a deeper, more intimate level of friendship than 友達. Someone you trust completely and can confide in.
Compound: 親 (close/intimate) + 友 (friend)
Similar words
- 知り合い: acquaintance
- 友達: friend (general, everyday term)
- 友人: friend (more formal/written)
- 親友: close/best friend (deep trust)
Common expressions
- 親友になる: to become close friends
- 一生の親友: lifelong best friend
- 無二の親友: one and only best friend
- 子供の頃からの親友: best friend since childhood
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Neutral, like 友達. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Related Words
Related:
友達 (friend)
Compare:
友人 (friend)
Compare:
知り合い (acquaintance)
Related:
知人 (acquaintance)