你是我的朋友
nǐ shì wǒ de péngyou
To say "you're my friend" in Chinese, use 你是我的朋友 (nǐ shì wǒ de péngyou).
The phrase is a direct way to tell someone that they are a friend of the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 你是我的朋友 breaks down literally as 你 (you), 是 (is/am/are), 我 (I), 的 (possessive particle) and 朋友 (friend).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 你是我的朋友, the particle 的 is used to turn the pronoun 我 (I) into the possessive form "my" (我的).
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ shì wǒ de péngyou
Did you know?
- To describe a 'best friend', Chinese speakers often use the term 死党, which literally means 'death party' or 'death squad'.
- In China, the concept of 'friendship' often extends to 关系 (guanxi), a complex system of social networks based on mutual obligation and reciprocity.
- While 朋友 means 'friend', Chinese has a specific term 闺蜜 for a woman's closest female friend, which literally translates to 'bedroom confidante'.
Examples in context
- 你是我的朋友。You're my friend.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 你是我的朋友.Tatoeba #933622 by shanghainese, translation #1895595 by CK
- 你是我的朋友，不用客气。Nǐ shì wǒ de péngyǒu, bùyòng kèqì.You're my friend, no need to be so polite.
- 请记住，你是我的朋友。Qǐng jìzhù, nǐ shì wǒ de péngyǒu.Please remember, you're my friend.
Example conversation
Wei is comforting Xiao Wen after she apologizes for a mistake.
- 伟 Wei别难过了，晓雯。Bié nánguò le, Xiǎowén.Don't be sad, Xiao Wen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen对不起，我给你添麻烦了。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ gěi nǐ tiān máfan le.I'm sorry, I caused you trouble.
- 伟 Wei没关系，你是我的朋友。Méiguānxì, nǐ shì wǒ de péngyǒu.It's okay, you're my friend.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
