давай дружить
davay druzhit'
The English phrase "wanna be friends" can be translated into Russian as давай дружить (davay druzhit').
The phrase is a casual request used to ask someone if they would like to start a friendship. It is most commonly used by children or teenagers in social settings, such as at school or online.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative давай (let's/come on) and the infinitive дружить (to be friends/to act as friends).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form давай дружить is used when addressing one person informally. For the formal or plural version, use давайте дружить.
How do you pronounce it?
davay druzhit'
Did you know?
- The root of дружить is shared with the word дружина, which historically referred to a prince's elite military retinue. This reflects an ancient connection between friendship and loyalty in a warrior band.
- While дружить means 'to be friends', the noun друг (friend) is often reserved for very close, lifelong companions. In Russian, a casual acquaintance is more likely to be called a знакомый (acquaintance) than a друг.
- The word дружить can also be used figuratively in Russian to describe things that work together or go well together, such as certain colors or ingredients.
Examples in context
- Надеюсь, что мы сможем стать настоящими друзьямиI hope we can become true friends.
- Давай дружить!Davay druzhit'!Let's be friends!
- Ты классный человек, давай дружить.Ty klassnyy chelovek, davay druzhit'.You are a cool person, let's be friends.
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time in a hallway.
- Мария MariaПривет, я Мария. Давай дружить?Privet, ya Mariya. Davay druzhit'?Hi, I'm Maria. Wanna be friends?
- Андрей AndreyПривет, Мария! Я Андрей. С удовольствием.Privet, Mariya! Ya Andrey. S udovol'stviyem.Hi, Maria! I'm Andrey. I'd love to.
- Мария MariaТы тоже учишься на этом факультете?Ty tozhe uchish'sya na etom fakul'tete?Do you study at this faculty too?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я на первом курсе.Da, ya na pervom kurse.Yes, I'm in the first year.
