新しい友達
atarashii tomodachi
In Japanese, 'new friend' is translated as 新しい友達 (atarashii tomodachi).
The phrase refers to a person who has recently become a friend.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression consists of 新しい (atarashii), an i-adjective meaning 'new' and 友達 (tomodachi), meaning 'friend'.
Which one should you use?
While 新しい友達 is the most common way to say 'new friend' in casual speech, other forms exist for different contexts. 新しい友人 is a formal way to say 'new friend', and 新たな知人 is a formal term that emphasizes the act of becoming acquainted with someone. For a more casual tone that conveys a sense of camaraderie or companionship, you can use 新しい仲間.
How does it change in a sentence?
This verb literally means 'was created' or 'appeared', so the phrase 新しい友達ができた translates to 'a new friend appeared/was made'.
How do you pronounce it?
atarashii tomodachi
Did you know?
- The word 友達 (tomodachi) contains the character 達 (tachi), which is a plural marker, meaning the word for 'friend' is grammatically structured as 'friends' even when referring to a single person.
- Calling someone a 友達 (tomodachi) implies a level of emotional intimacy that is often higher than what the English word 'friend' suggests. In strict social etiquette, many people you call 'friends' in English would be categorized as 知人 (chijin) in Japanese.
- Using 仲間 (nakama) to describe a 'new friend' shifts the meaning from a simple social connection to a deep bond of a teammate, comrade, or person sharing a common goal.
Examples in context
- 今日ね、新しい友達ができたんだ。I made a new friend today.This sentence is useful for expressing that you made a new friend today using the form 新しい友達.Tatoeba #10802295 by small_snow, translation #11268576 by CK
- この方は私の新しい友人ですThis person is my new friend.
- 日本で新たな知人を作ることは素晴らしい経験ですMaking new friends in Japan is a wonderful experience.
- 最近、新しい仲間を見つけたI recently found a new friend.
- 彼は私の新しい友達ですHe is my new friend.
- 紹介します。これは私の新しい友人、田中さんです。Let me introduce you. This is my new friend, Mr. Tanaka.
- 先週、新しい仲間と一緒に山に登りました。Last week, I climbed a mountain with my new friends.
- 新しい友達を作るのは楽しいですね。Making new friends is fun, isn't it?
- 新しい友達を紹介するね。atarashii tomodachi o shoukai suru ne.I'll introduce you to my new friend.
- 新しい友達と一緒に遊んだ。atarashii tomodachi to issho ni asonda.I played with a new friend.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are talking about a party.
- 結衣 Yuiパーティーで新しい友達ができた？pātī de atarashii tomodachi ga dekita?Did you make any new friends at the party?
- 蓮 Renうん、いい人がたくさんいたよ。un, ii hito ga takusan ita yo.Yeah, there were lots of great people.
- 結衣 Yuiそれはよかったね。sore wa yokatta ne.That's good to hear.
- 蓮 Ren今度、結衣にも紹介するね。kondo, Yui ni mo shoukai suru ne.I'll introduce them to you next time, Yui.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
