Use 友達 for informal friends; choose 友人 for formal or professional relationships.
Use 友達 for informal friends; choose 友人 for formal or professional relationships.
Confusing 友達 with the formal 友人.
From 友 (tomo, “friend”) + 達 (‑tachi, a pluralising suffix), originally plural but now also used singularly.
What does 友達 mean?
友達 means “friend” or “companion”, an informal term for someone you spend time with.
How is 友達 different from 友人?
友達 is casual, while 友人 is more formal or used for professional acquaintances.
Can 友達 be used for plural friends?
Yes, Japanese nouns are not marked for plural; context shows whether it refers to one or many friends.
How do you say “to make a friend” in Japanese?
Use the verb 友達になる or the phrase 友達を作る.
Is it correct to add honorifics to 友達?
No, adding さん after 友達 is unnatural; you simply say 友達.
Can 友達 refer to a group of friends?
Yes, it can refer to a group, often expressed as 友達たち or just 友達 with context.
What is the proper particle to use with 友達?
Use が for the subject (友達が来た) and と for “with” (友達と遊ぶ).