好朋友
hǎo péngyou
The English phrase "good friend" is translated into Chinese as 好朋友 (hǎo péngyou).
The term 好朋友 is the most common and straightforward way to say "good friend" in Chinese.
Which one should you use?
While 好朋友 is the standard term, other forms exist for specific contexts. 亲密朋友 emphasizes a sense of closeness, while 益友 suggests a friend who provides mutual benefits or positive influence. If you want to describe a friend who has stayed with you through adversity, you would use 患难之交. For a very deep and trusted friendship, 心腹之交 is appropriate.
How do you pronounce it?
hǎo péngyou
Did you know?
- In certain literary contexts, a 'good friend' might be described using the word 知音 (zhīyīn), which literally means 'to know the musical tone'.
- The word 心腹 in 心腹之交 literally translates to 'heart and belly', referring to the internal organs as the seat of one's deepest secrets.
- In Chinese slang, calling someone a 哥们儿 (gēmenr) is a common way for men to say 'good friend' or 'bro', especially in northern China.
Examples in context
- 约翰是个好朋友。John is a good friend.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a 好朋友.Tatoeba #4759976 by ryanwoo, translation #4515083 by kunwoo
- 一箇好朋友勝過十箇親戚。One good friend is better than ten relatives.This sentence compares the value of one 好朋友 to many relatives.Tatoeba #5883320 by verdastelo9604, translation #3731399 by CM
- 羅伯特是珊朵拉某個前男友的好朋友。Robert was a really good friend of one of Sandra's ex-boyfriends.This sentence describes the relationship status of a 好朋友.Tatoeba #13855609 by LeviHighway, translation #11599890 by Amastan
- 在我生命中，你是我的好朋友。In my life, you are my good friend.
- 我们一直是亲密朋友，我很珍惜我们之间的友谊。We have always been close friends, and I cherish our friendship.
- 你是我最真挚的患难之交，我会永远记得你的支持。You are my most sincere friend in times of trouble, and I will always remember your support.
- 你是我心腹之交，永远是我最亲密的伙伴。You are my trusted friend, always my closest companion.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their social circles at a cafe.
- 俊杰 Junjie你觉得他是个好朋友吗？Nǐ juéde tā shì gè hǎo péngyǒu ma?Do you think he is a good friend?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，他是我的好朋友。Shì de, tā shì wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu.Yes, he is my good friend.
- 俊杰 Junjie那太好了。Nà tài hǎole.That is great.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，我们都是好朋友。Jùnjié, wǒmen dōu shì hǎo péngyǒu.Junjie, we are all good friends.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
