友(とも) とも noun friend, companion formalliteraryperson 1. friend, companion A friend or close acquaintance. More literary or formal than 友達(ともだち). Often used in compound words or literary contexts. 友(とも)を大切(たいせつ)にしなさい。🔊 Treasure your friends. Famous quote from the Analects of Confucius 彼(かれ)は苦楽(くらく)を共(とも)にした友(とも)だ。🔊 He is a friend who has shared both hardships and joys with me. 一生(いっしょう)の友(とも)に出会(であ)えた。🔊 I met a friend for life. 困(こま)った時(とき)の友(とも)こそ真(しん)の友(とも)だ。🔊 A friend in need is a friend indeed. 学生(がくせい)時代(じだい)の友(とも)と久(ひさ)しぶりに会(あ)った。🔊 I met up with a friend from my school days after a long time. Usage友(とも) is more literary and formal than 友達(ともだち). It appears in compounds, proverbs, set phrases and writing, rarely on its own in conversation.Compounds友情(ゆうじょう): friendship親友(しんゆう): close friend旧友(きゅうゆう): old friend学友(がくゆう): school friend戦友(せんゆう): comrade in arms友好(ゆうこう): friendship, amity (between nations)Common expressions一生(いっしょう)の友(とも): a lifelong friend良(よ)き友(とも): a good friend (literary)本(ほん)を友(とも)とする: to have books as one's companionsSimilar words友達(ともだち): the everyday word for friend友人(ゆうじん): friend (polite; formal speech and writing) Related Words Related: 友達(ともだち) (friend (common)) Related: 親友(しんゆう) (close friend) core Added 2026.1.12 18:48 · Revised 2026.10.7 4:10 03000/03466_tomo