Translation and Meaning of: 友達 - tomodachi

The Japanese word 「友達」 (tomodachi) is commonly used to refer to "friend" or "friendship". The etymology of the word involves two distinct kanji, 「友」 and 「達」. The kanji 「友」 (tomo) means "friend", while 「達」 (dachi) has the sense of "companion" or "group". The combination of these kanji suggests a relationship of friendship where people are close and share a meaningful connection.

The expression 「友達」 is widely used in everyday life in Japan to indicate relationships that go beyond mere acquaintances. The word not only highlights the importance of friends in Japanese culture but also the value of interpersonal relationships. Friendships in Japan are often seen as fundamental to the social fabric and can be formed in various contexts, such as school, work, or hobbies.

Curiously, the use of the term 「友達」 transcends simple social relationships; it can symbolize a deeper concept of mutual trust and support. In Japan, there is a tradition in schools where students call each other 「ともだち」 (tomodachi), thus promoting a collaborative and harmonious environment. Furthermore, the concept of friendship is celebrated in various festivities and cultural practices, such as gatherings and gift exchanges.

Variações e Uso Cultural

• 「親友」 (shinyuu): Refers to an "intimate friend" or "best friend," indicating a deeper level of friendship.
• "友人" (yuujin): Another variation of the word that also means "friend," but with a slightly more formal tone.
• 「友交」 (yuukou): Although less common, it refers to "friendship" or "friendly exchange," used in more formal or literary contexts.

These variations of the word friendship highlight the rich tapestry of the Japanese language in capturing the nuances of human relationships. The use of 「友達」 and its variations also reveals an intimate aspect of Japanese culture, where interpersonal relationships are valued and celebrated in various forms.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 仲間 (nakama) - Companion, comrade, someone with whom one shares a goal or interest.
• 仲良し (nakayoshi) - Close friend or buddy, a person with whom one has a friendly and warm relationship.
• 友人 (yuujin) - Friend, a person with whom one has a friendship, usually in a more formal or distant relationship.
• お友達 (otomodachi) - Friend, a more respectful or affectionate way to refer to a friend.
• フレンド (furendo) - Friend, a word borrowed from English, used in informal contexts and on social media.

友達

Romaji: tomodachi
Kana: ともだち
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: friend

Meaning in English: friend

Definition: To get along well with friends and colleagues.

Example Sentences - (友達) tomodachi

See below some example sentences:

遠方から来た友達に会いに行きたいです。

Toofu kara kita tomodachi ni ai ni ikitai desu

I want to go meet a friend who came from far away.

I want to go see a friend from afar.

• 遠方 (enpou) - distant
• から (kara) - of
• 来た (kita) - came
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friend
• に (ni) - for
• 会いに (aini) - find
• 行きたい (ikitai) - I want to go
• です (desu) - is

酒場で友達と楽しい時間を過ごしました。

Sakaba de tomodachi to tanoshii jikan wo sugoshimashita

I had fun with my friends at the bar.

• 酒場 (sakaba) - bar/pub
• で (de) - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friend(s)
• と (to) - particle indicating "with"
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - enjoyable/fun
• 時間 (jikan) - time/hours
• を (wo) - Article indicating the object of the action
• 過ごしました (sugoshimashita) - spent/had (a good time)

金曜日には友達と遊びに行く予定です。

Kin'yōbi ni wa tomodachi to asobi ni iku yotei desu

I have plans to go out with friends on Friday.

I plan to go play with my friends on Friday.

• 金曜日 - sexta-feira
• には - time indication, "on Friday"
• 友達 - amigos
• と - particle that indicates company, "with"
• 遊びに行く - go to have fun
• 予定 - plan, schedule
• です - verb ser/estar in the present, "is/is"

私は友達を励ますために彼女にエールを送ります。

Watashi wa tomodachi o hagemasu tame ni kanojo ni ēru o okurimasu

I send an encouragement message to my friend to encourage her.

I send her a beer to encourage my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - partícula que marca o tópico da frase, indicando que o assunto é "eu"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "friend" is the object of the action
• 励ます (hagemasu) - verb meaning "to encourage"
• ために (tameni) - expression that indicates the purpose of the action, in this case "to encourage the friend"
• 彼女 (kanojo) - noun meaning "she"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the recipient of the action, in this case "she" is the recipient of the encouragement
• エール (eeru) - noun meaning "support" or "encouragement"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "support" is the object of the action
• 送ります (okurimasu) - verb meaning "to send"

犬は忠実な友達です。

Inu wa chūjitsu na tomodachi desu

Dogs are loyal friends.

Dogs are faithful friends.

• 犬 (いぬ) - cão
• は - Topic particle
• 忠実 (ちゅうじつ) - leal
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 友達 (ともだち) - friend
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

友達は大切です。

Tomodachi wa taisetsu desu

Friends are important.

Friends are important.

• 友達 (tomodachi) - friend
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

キャンパスで友達を作りたいです。

Kyampusu de tomodachi wo tsukuritai desu

I want to make friends on campus.

• キャンパス (kyanpasu) - campus
• で (de) - in
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 作りたい (tsukuritai) - want to do/create
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

マイクは私の友達です。

Maiku wa watashi no tomodachi desu

Mike is my friend.

• マイク - first name in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "I"
• の - possessive particle in Japanese
• 友達 - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• です - Japanese verb to be in polite form

ママは私の最高の友達です。

Mama wa watashi no saikou no tomodachi desu

Mom is my best friend.

• ママ (Mama) - mother
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私の (watashi no) - meu/minha
• 最高の (saikou no) - the best
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)

三人の友達と一緒に遊ぶ。

Mittsu no tomodachi to issho ni asobu

Jogar com três amigos.

Brinque com três amigos.

• 三人 - três pessoas
• の - Possession particle
• 友達 - amigos
• と - connecting particle
• 一緒に - juntos
• 遊ぶ - brincar/jogar