私たち友達？
watashitachi tomodachi?
The phrase "are we friends?" in Japanese is translated as 私たち友達？ (watashitachi tomodachi?)
This phrase is used to ask if two people share a friendly relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 私たち (watashitachi) literally means "we".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 私たち友達？ is casual. For more formal settings, you can use the polite version 私たちは友達ですか？, which adds the particle は and the verb ですか.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, such as with 私たち友達？, the copula (the verb "to be") and particles are often omitted. Instead, the subject and the noun are used together with a rising intonation to form a question.
How do you pronounce it?
watashitachi tomodachi?
Did you know?
- In some contexts, asking 私たち友達？ can be interpreted as a 'confirmation of status' often used by children or in romantic tension, making it sound like a confession of feelings to adults.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'inner' and 'outer' circles, known as ウチ (uchi) and ソト (soto), determines whether you would even think to ask someone if you are friends.
- The word 友達 (tomodachi) contains the character 達 (tachi), which is also used in 私たち (watashitachi) to indicate a plural group.
Examples in context
- 私たち友達？Watashitachi tomodachi?Are we friends?
- ねえ、私たち友達？Nee, watashitachi tomodachi?Hey, are we friends?
Example conversation
Two students are talking after school.
- 蓮 Ren美咲、私たち友達？Misaki, watashitachi tomodachi?Misaki, are we friends?
- 美咲 Misakiもちろん、もちろん！Mochiron, mochiron!Of course, of course!
- 蓮 Renよかった、少し不安だったんだ。Yokatta, sukoshi fuan datta nda.That's a relief, I was a little worried.
- 美咲 Misaki全然大丈夫だよ、蓮。Zenzen daijoubu dayo, Ren.It's totally fine, Ren.
