友達になってくれますか？
tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?
The English phrase "will you be my friend?" is translated into Japanese as 友達になってくれますか？ (tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used to ask someone if they would like to start a friendship with you. While you can use it to ask for a friendship, you might also use the more proactive and enthusiastic phrase 友達になりましょう！ to suggest, "Let's be friends!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 友達になってくれますか？ literally translates to "Will you become a friend for me?"
Which one should you use?
The informal version is 友達になれる？, which translates to "Can we be friends?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request informal and suitable for peers or children, you can use 友達になってくれる？ by dropping the masu ka ending from the polite form.
How do you pronounce it?
tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?
When do people say it?
In Japanese social contexts, it is often more natural to say 仲良くしてください (Let's get along well) rather than explicitly asking to be "friends".
Did you know?
- Asking 友達になってくれますか？ is very common among children, but adults rarely use this specific phrasing unless they are intentionally being cute or playful.
- Japanese distinguishes between 友達 (tomodachi) and 知り合い (shiriai), the latter meaning 'acquaintance'. Many people English speakers call 'friends' are strictly 知り合い in Japan.
- The verb used in 友達になってくれますか？ is くれる (kureru), which implies that the other person is doing you a kind favor by accepting the friendship.
Examples in context
- 友達になってくれますか？Tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?Will you be my friend?
- もしよかったら、友達になってくれますか？Moshi yokattara, tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?If you'd like, will you be my friend?
- ずっと前から、友達になってくれますか？と聞きたかったです。Zutto mae kara, tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka? to kikitakatta desu.I have wanted to ask you if you would be my friend for a long time.
Example conversation
Kenta approaches Himari at a school after class.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、友達になってくれますか？Himari-san, tomodachi ni natte kuremasu ka?Himari, will you be my friend?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、もちろんです！Hai, mochiron desu!Yes, of course!
- 健太 Kenta本当ですか？すごく嬉しいです。Hontou desu ka? Sugoku ureshii desu.Really? I am so happy.
- 陽葵 Himari私も、健太さんと友達になれて嬉しいです。Watashi mo, Kenta-san to tomodachi ni narete ureshii desu.I am also happy to become friends with you, Kenta.
