🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Friend" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
友達
"Friend" in Japanese · say it like yoh-mah-tah-chi

The most natural way to say "Friend" in Japanese is 友達. 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

友人
more formal or literary term
親友
means 'close friend' or 'best friend'

When to use it

Use '友達' in casual conversations with peers or acquaintances. It is suitable for both spoken and written contexts. For more formal situations, consider using '友人'.

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 Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
彼は私の友達です。He is my friend.
友達と映画を見に行きます。I will go to the movies with my friend.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse '友達' with '知り合い' (acquaintance), which refers to someone you know but are not close to.

The fastest way to remember it

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I use '友達' for both genders?

Yes, '友達' is gender-neutral and can refer to friends of any gender.

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