What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from 友達 (friend), the particle に which indicates a change of state and なって, which is the te-form of the verb meaning "to become". Literally, it means "become a friend".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The bare te-form 友達になって is used in casual settings, such as between children or peers. If you want to be polite, you can use 友達になってくれませんか to ask someone to do you the favor of being your friend. For a more respectful way of requesting friendship, use 友人になっていただけませんか. For a very casual approach, you can use 友達になってくれる？ or the expression 仲良くしてね！, which means "Let's be friends!"
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding ください to the te-form creates a polite command or a formal request, as seen in 友達になってください. Adding くれる in its casual form, as in 友達になってくれる？, makes the request sound like you are asking for a favor.
How do you pronounce it?
tomodachi ni natte
Did you know?
- In adult social contexts, Japanese speakers rarely say 友達になって directly. Instead, they often use phrases like よろしくお願いします to establish a positive relationship without explicitly asking for friendship.
- If you use the formal 友人 instead of 友達 to ask someone to be your friend, it can sound unnaturally stiff, almost like a business contract or a legal agreement.
- In many Japanese social circles, friendship is implied through shared activities rather than a verbal agreement. A person might become a 'friend' without ever hearing the phrase 友達になって.
Examples in context
- 友達になってください。I hope you'll be my friend.This sentence is useful for the polite request 友達になってください.Tatoeba #10655938 by small_snow, translation #3366533 by AlanF_US
- 友達になってくれませんか？Do you want to be my friend?Tatoeba #6576391 by small_snow, translation #1407336 by CK
- よかったら、友達になって。Yokattara, tomodachi ni natte.If you'd like, be my friend.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui approaches Hiroto at school to start a conversation.
- 結衣 Yuiねえ、大翔くん、友達になって。Nee, Hiroto-kun, tomodachi ni natte.Hey, Hiroto, be my friend.
- 大翔 Hirotoえっ、いいよ！E, ii yo!Oh, sure!
- 結衣 Yui本当に？やった！Hontou ni? Yatta!Really? Yay!
- 大翔 Hirotoこれからよろしくね。Kore kara yoroshiku ne.Nice to be friends with you from now on.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
