学友(がくゆう)

A somewhat formal or literary term for a friend from one's school or university days. Combines 学(がく) (learning/school) and 友(ゆう) (friend). While 同級生(どうきゅうせい) or クラスメート are more common in everyday speech, 学友(がくゆう) has a warmer nuance emphasizing the bond of having studied together.

Common collocations

• 大学(だいがく)の学友(がくゆう): university friend
• 学友(がくゆう)と再会(さいかい)する: to reunite with a school friend
• 旧(きゅう)学友(がくゆう): old school friend

Similar words

• 同級生(どうきゅうせい): classmate — neutral, emphasizes being in the same grade
• 級友(きゅうゆう): classmate — also somewhat formal, specifically same class
• クラスメート: classmate — casual loanword equivalent