挚友
zhìyǒu
In Chinese, "close friend" is translated as 挚友 (zhìyǒu).
The term refers to a very dear and intimate friend with whom one shares a deep, lasting bond.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 挚友 is composed of two parts: the character 挚 (zhì), which means "sincere" or "earnest" and 友 (yǒu), which means "friend".
Which one should you use?
While 挚友 implies a profound, soul-level bond, the more common, everyday way to say "good friend" is 好朋友.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
挚友 is a formal and literary term used in writing or serious speech rather than in casual daily conversation. For a formal way to say "close friend", you can also use 亲密朋友.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term 好友 can be used to refer to a close friend.
How do you pronounce it?
zhìyǒu
Did you know?
- Chinese uses the term 死党 (sǐdǎng), literally 'death party', as a slang term for a group of incredibly close friends who would stick together until the end.
- While 挚友 is for deep bonds, Chinese has a specific term 闺蜜 (guīmì) for a female's closest female friend, which literally translates to 'bedroom confidante'.
- In certain Chinese historical dramas, the bond of a 'close friend' is often elevated to 'sworn brothers' (结拜兄弟, jiébài xiōngdì), a ritualistic connection more binding than mere friendship.
Examples in context
- 他是我的挚友。Tā shì wǒ de zhìyǒu.He is my close friend.
- 我们是多年的挚友了。Wǒmen shì duōnián de zhìyǒu le.We have been close friends for many years.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Junjie are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你和那个男孩关系很好吗？Nǐ hé nàge nánhái guānxì hěn hǎo ma?Do you get along well with that boy?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，他是我最好的挚友。Shì de, tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de zhìyǒu.Yes, he is my best close friend.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你们认识很久了吗？Nǐmen rènshí hěn jiǔ le ma?Have you known each other for a long time?
- 俊杰 Junjie我们从小就是挚友。Wǒmen cóngxiǎo jiùshì zhìyǒu.We have been close friends since we were children.
