1.
friendly; amicable; on good terms
Describes an atmosphere, attitude, or relationship characterized by goodwill and cooperation rather than hostility. Often used in formal settings — diplomacy, business, and public statements — to describe relations between countries, companies, or groups. Carries a more measured, official tone than the everyday word 親切 ('kind').
友好的な関係。
A friendly relationship.
両国は友好的な雰囲気の中で会談を行った。
The two countries held talks in a friendly atmosphere.
交渉は友好的に進み、最終的に合意に達した。
The negotiations proceeded amicably and finally reached an agreement.
Compound of 友好 ('friendship; amity') and the adjectival suffix 〜的. The related noun 友好 is itself common in compounds like 友好関係 ('friendly relations'), 友好国 ('friendly nation'), 日米友好 ('Japan-US friendship').
USAGE:
- Used as a な-adjective: 友好的な態度 ('a friendly attitude').
- Very common adverbially in official reports: 友好的に解決する ('to resolve amicably').
- Has a formal, public-facing feel. For personal friendliness between individuals, 親しい ('close') or 仲がいい ('getting along well') are more natural.
- Often paired with nouns of relationship or interaction: 関係, 雰囲気, 交流.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 友好的な関係: friendly relationship
- 友好的な雰囲気: friendly atmosphere
- 友好的な態度: friendly attitude
- 友好的に解決する: to resolve amicably
- 友好的に接する: to treat in a friendly manner
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 敵対的: hostile — the common antonym, especially in diplomatic and business contexts.
- 協力的: cooperative — focuses on willingness to work together rather than on warmth of feeling.
- 親密: intimate; close — used for personal closeness rather than polite friendliness.
- 好意的: favorable; well-disposed — emphasizes a positive appraisal rather than mutual friendliness.