Meaning and Usage
"友達" (ともだち) means "friend" and is one of the most common words used to refer to people you have a friendly relationship with. It can refer to close friends, casual friends, or acquaintances depending on context.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "友達" in everyday conversation when talking about social relationships, school life, or activities done together. It is a neutral and polite term suitable for most situations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 友達と (ともだちと): "with friends" — used to indicate doing something together with friends.
- 友達を作る (ともだちをつくる): "to make friends" — common phrase when talking about forming new friendships.
- 一番の友達 (いちばんのともだち): "best friend" — used to emphasize the closest friend.
Register and Nuance
"友達" is informal to neutral and widely used among all age groups. It is not overly formal but perfectly acceptable in polite conversation. Avoid using it in very formal writing or speech where "知人" (acquaintance) or "仲間" (companion) might be more appropriate.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "友達" with "友人" (ゆうじん), which is a more formal word for "friend." Use "友達" in casual or everyday contexts and "友人" in formal writing or speeches.
Understanding how to use "友達" naturally will help you talk about your social life clearly and comfortably.