прия́тель
prijátelʹmasculine
In Russian, "best friend" can be translated in several ways, with the default form being прия́тель (prijátelʹ). Wiktionary also lists прия́тельница (prijátelʹnica).
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| прия́тель | prijátelʹ | masculine |
| прия́тельница | prijátelʹnica | feminine |
The term refers to an especially close and trusted friend.
Which one should you use?
To express the concept of a 'best friend' (a person with whom one has a deep, intimate bond), the phrase лучший друг is more accurate than прия́тель.
How do you pronounce it?
prijátelʹ
Did you know?
- A Russian person might refer to a very close friend as a свой (one's own), a term used for family. This suggests that a 'best friend' is viewed more as a member of the inner circle or kin than just a companion.
- Be careful with the word товарищ (comrade/companion). While it can mean a 'companion' in a very old-fashioned or political sense, using it to address a 'best friend' today would sound like an ironic joke or a joke about the Soviet era.
- Russian culture distinguishes sharply between a друг (friend) and a прия́тель (acquaintance). Calling someone a друг is a significant social gesture that implies a level of loyalty and commitment that 'friend' does not always convey in English.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, позвольте представить вам моего лучшего друга.Hello, allow me to introduce you to my best friend.
- Это мой лучший приятель, Иван.This is my best friend, Ivan.
Example conversation
Olga and Aleksandr are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- Ольга OlgaКто этот человек на фото?Kto etot chelovek na foto?Who is this person in the photo?
- Александр AleksandrЭто мой лучший прия́тель из школы.Eto moy luchshiy priyatel iz shkoly.This is my best friend from school.
- Ольга OlgaВы давно не виделись?Vy davno ne videlis?Have you not seen each other for a long time?
- Александр AleksandrДа, но мы часто созваниваемся.Da, no my chasto sozvanivayemsya.Yes, but we call each other often.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “best friend” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
