🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "Friend" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
朋友
"Friend" in Chinese · say it like peng-you

The most natural way to say "Friend" in Chinese is 朋友. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

好友
more formal or intimate, often used for close friends
死党
casual term for a very close friend, often used among younger people

When to use it

You can use '朋友' in almost any context when referring to a friend. It is suitable for both casual and formal situations. When introducing someone as your friend, '朋友' is the go-to term. In more intimate settings, you might choose '好友' instead.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Friend" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
他是我的朋友。He is my friend.
我有很多朋友。I have many friends.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse '朋友' with '同学' (classmate), but they are not interchangeable.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 朋友, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '朋友' and '好友'?

'朋友' is a general term for friend, while '好友' implies a closer, more intimate friendship.

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