親友
shinyū
The English phrase 'best friend' is translated into Japanese as 親友 (shinyū).
The term 親友 is the standard way to denote a 'best friend' or a person's most intimate friend. It is used for someone with whom you share a deep, trusted bond.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 親友 is composed of the kanji 親, meaning 'close' or 'intimate' and 友, meaning 'friend'. Literally, it translates to 'close friend'.
Which one should you use?
While 友達 (tomodachi) refers to a general friend, 親友 implies a much deeper, long-term and trusted relationship. Additionally, the phrase 一番の友達 (ichiban no tomodachi) can be used to signify that someone is your number one friend.
How do you pronounce it?
shinyū
Did you know?
- While 親友 is the standard term, Japanese people often avoid using it to a person's face to avoid appearing too sentimental or intense. It is more commonly used when describing a friend to a third party.
- In Japanese, the kanji for 'close' in 親友 is the same character used for 'parent' or 'relative'. This implies that a 'best friend' is seen as someone with the intimacy of family.
- Some Japanese speakers use the slang term ズッ友 (zuttomo), a contraction of ずっと友達 meaning 'friends forever'. It is primarily used by teenagers and carries a more casual, 'pinky-swear' energy than 親友.
Examples in context
- 親友だと思ってるよ。I think of you as my best friend.This sentence shows how to express that you consider someone to be your 親友.Tatoeba #10508938 by small_snow, translation #8999684 by CK
- ジョンは私の親友です。John is my best friend.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your 親友.Tatoeba #215286 by bunbuku, translation #52585 by CN
- 私の親友は中国人です。My best friend is Chinese.This sentence is useful for stating your 親友's nationality.Tatoeba #8545870 by small_snow, translation #8366590 by dasbeispielholz
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about their childhood friends at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君は親友がいる？Kenta-kun wa shinyuu ga iru?Kenta, do you have a best friend?
- 健太 Kentaうん、高校からの親友がいるよ。Un, koukou kara no shinyuu ga iru yo.Yeah, I have a best friend from high school.
- 美咲 Misakiいいなあ、私も親友が欲しい。Ii naa, watashi mo shinyuu ga hoshii.That's nice, I want a best friend too.
- 健太 Kenta美咲なら、きっとすぐできるよ。Misaki nara, kitto sugu dekiru yo.If it's you, Misaki, I'm sure you'll make one soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
