旧 友(きゅうゆう)

きゅうゆう

noun

old friend; longtime friend

1. old friend; longtime friend

A friend from the distant past, someone one has known for a long time. Carries a literary, somewhat nostalgic tone and implies a deep, lasting bond.

旧友(きゅうゆう)と再会(さいかい)した。

I reunited with an old friend.

大学時代(だいがくじだい)の旧友(きゅうゆう)から突然(とつぜん)連絡(れんらく)が来(き)た。

I suddenly got a message from an old college friend.

十年(じゅうねん)ぶりに旧友(きゅうゆう)と酒(さけ)を酌(く)み交(か)わし、昔話(むかしばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)いた。

I shared drinks with an old friend for the first time in ten years, and we had a wonderful time reminiscing.

Usage

More literary and refined than 古(ふる)い友達(ともだち) (old friend). Often used in written contexts or when speaking with some formality. Implies a friendship that has endured over many years.

Common collocations

旧友(きゅうゆう)と再会(さいかい)する (to reunite with an old friend)
旧友(きゅうゆう)を訪(たず)ねる (to visit an old friend)
旧友(きゅうゆう)との絆(きずな) (bond with an old friend)

Similar words

幼(おさな)なじみ: childhood friend — specifically someone known since childhood
古(ふる)い友達(ともだち): old friend — casual, everyday expression
親友(しんゆう): best friend — emphasizes closeness, not duration

Related Words

Related: 幼馴染(おさななじみ) (childhood friend)

Related: 親友(しんゆう) (best friend)

Compare: 旧知(きゅうち) (old acquaintance)

Compare: 昔馴染(むかしなじ)み (old acquaintance)

general

Added 2026.3.18 11:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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