古い友達
furui tomodachi
The Japanese phrase for "old friend" is 古い友達, pronounced furui tomodachi.
古い友達 refers to a person who has been a friend for a long time.
Which one should you use?
While 古い友達 is the common way to say old friend, the term 旧友 is a more formal, literary term used in writing or formal speeches. In informal settings, you can also use mukashi no tomodachi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 古い directly modifies the noun 友達 without needing a particle between them.
How do you pronounce it?
furui tomodachi
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 古い to describe a person's age. It refers to the age of objects or the duration of a relationship. To say a person is elderly, use 年を取った.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, a 'true' old friend might be described as 竹馬の友 which literally means 'bamboo horse friend', referring to childhood playmates.
- In some social circles, an old friend might be called a 戦友 or 'war comrade', even if they never served in the military, to describe someone who struggled through school or work together.
- Japanese distinguishes between a 'friend' 友達 and a 'close friend' 親友, where the latter literally translates to 'parent-friend' to show the depth of the bond.
Examples in context
- 私の古い友達だよ。He's my old friend.This sentence is useful for saying "He's my old friend" using 古い友達.Tatoeba #9573157 by Sim5634, translation #1644079 by Hayabusa
- 彼は私の古い友達です。He is my old friend.Tatoeba #105838 by bunbuku, translation #297849 by CK
Example conversation
Two friends are talking at a cafe about a person they both know.
- 陽太 Yotaあそこにいるのは、陽葵さんの古い友達ですか？Asoko ni iru no wa, Himari-san no furui tomodachi desu ka?Is that person over there an old friend of yours, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、彼は私の古い友達です。Hai, kare wa watashi no furui tomodachi desu.Yes, he is an old friend of mine.
- 陽太 Yotaとても仲が良さそうですね。Totemo naka ga yosasou desu ne.You two seem to get along very well.
- 陽葵 Himariええ、ずっと親しい友人なんです。Ee, zutto shitashii yuujin nan desu.Yes, we have been close friends for a long time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
