Japanese Word for
友達tomodachi
friend · companion · pal
Readings
Meaning
Friend, companion, pal. 友達 is the everyday word for friend. 友 (tomo) means companion or ally. 友人 (yūjin) is slightly more formal. 知人 (chijin) means acquaintance.
Example words
友
tomo
friend, companion, ally
友人
yūjin
friend (slightly formal)
親友
shin'yū
close friend, best friend
知人
chijin
acquaintance
交友
kōyū
friendship, companionship
味方
mikata
friend, ally, supporter
友達 became internationally known through the Japanese government's "Tomodachi Operation" (トモダチ作戦) — the US military's humanitarian response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The operation's name was chosen to reflect the friendship between Japan and the United States.
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