Translation and Meaning of: 友達 - tomodachi

The Japanese word 友達 (ともだち, tomodachi) is one of the first we learn when studying the language. It represents a universal concept: friendship. But do we really know all the details behind this common term? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and cultural uses of 友達, as well as practical tips for those who want to memorize it or understand its role in everyday Japanese life. If you have already used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you know how important it is to go beyond simple translation.

Meaning and use of 友達 in everyday Japanese

友達 is a word composed of the kanji 友 (friend) and 達 (a suffix that indicates plurality), forming the meaning of "friends." Unlike the English "friend," which can be singular or plural depending on the context, 友達 already carries a notion of collectivity. In daily life, Japanese people use this word to refer to close friends, but not necessarily intimate ones like 親友 (shinyuu), which indicates best friends.

An interesting fact is that, although the kanji 達 suggests plural, 友達 can be used for both a single friend and a group. For example, saying "Tomodachi ga iru" (友達がいる) can mean "I have a friend" or "I have friends," depending on the context. This flexibility is common in Japanese and can confuse beginners.

The origin and components of 友達

The etymology of 友 dates back to ancient Chinese, where the character represented two hands helping each other — an image that reflects the concept of friendship well. Meanwhile, 達 originally conveyed the idea of "reaching" or "connecting," but in modern Japanese, it primarily functions as a marker of plurality for people or living beings.

It is worth noting that 友達 (tomodachi) is one of the few words in Japanese where the suffix 達 (tachi) is used in a lexicalized way, meaning it has fused with the root and cannot be separated without losing its meaning. This distinguishes it from constructions like 先生達 (sensei-tachi), where the suffix is productive and can be removed.

Friendship in Japanese culture and society

In Japan, the concept of friendship has specific nuances. While in some Western cultures it is common to refer to acquaintances as "friends," the Japanese tend to reserve 友達 for more established relationships. Research shows that Japanese adults, on average, have fewer 友達 than Brazilians or Americans, but with more lasting bonds.

In the media, 友達 often appears in animes and dramas, frequently as a central theme. Series like "Natsume Yuujinchou" explore the depth of this word, while romantic comedies use the tension between "tomodachi" and "koibito" (boyfriend/girlfriend) as a plotline. This duality reflects how friendship is valued — and sometimes feared — in Japanese culture.

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:

私は友達に人生の重要な決定を諮る必要がある。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni jinsei no juuyou na ketsudan wo hakaru hitsuyou ga aru

I need to consult my friends about the important decisions of life.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case "for the friend"
• 人生 (jinsei) - substantive that means "life"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of life"
• 重要な (juuyouna) - Adjective meaning "important"
• 決定 (kettei) - noun that means "decision"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case "the decision"
• 諮る (shiru) - verb that means "to consult"
• 必要がある (hitsuyou ga aru) - expression that means "to be necessary"

私は友達を庇うことができます。

Watashi wa tomodachi o kabau koto ga dekimasu

I can protect my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "friend"
• 庇う (kabau) - verb that means "to protect" or "to defend"
• こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event, in this case, "protect"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は友達を家に泊めました。

Watashi wa tomodachi o ie ni tomerimashita

I hosted my friend at home.

I stayed at home with my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "friend"
• 家 (ie) - noun that means "house"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the location where the action took place, in this case, "at home"
• 泊めました (tomemashita) - verb that means "host" in the past

私は友達に料理を手伝う。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni ryouri o tetsudau

I help my friend cook.

I help my friends cook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "friend"
• 料理 (ryouri) - noun that means "to cook" or "cuisine"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "to cook"
• 手伝う (tetsudau) - "Verb that means 'to help'"

私は校庭で友達と遊びました。

Watashi wa kōtei de tomodachi to asobimashita

I played with my friends in the school courtyard.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 校庭 - Japanese noun that means "schoolyard"
• で - Japanese particle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "no pátio da escola" -> "in the school courtyard"
• 友達 - Japanese noun that means "friend(s)"
• と - Japanese particle that indicates company, in this case, "with friends"
• 遊びました - Japanese verb meaning "play/play", conjugated in the affirmative past

私は今日友達の家に寄ります。

Watashi wa kyō tomodachi no ie ni yorimasu

I'm going to my friend's house today.

I'm stopping at my friend's house today.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 今日 - noun that means "today"
• 友達 - noun meaning "friend"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the friend"
• 家 - noun that means "house"
• に - particle that indicates destination, in this case "for"
• 寄ります - verb that means "to visit"

私は友達にお金を貸すことができます。

Watashi wa tomodachi ni okane wo kasu koto ga dekimasu

I can lend money to my friend.

I can lend money to my friends.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 友達 - noun meaning "friend"
• に - particle that indicates the target of the action, in this case, "for the friend"
• お金 - noun meaning "money"
• を - particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "lend money"
• 貸す - verb meaning "to lend"
• こと - noun indicating action or event
• が - particle that marks the subject of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to do", conjugated in the present affirmative

私たちはとても親しい友達です。

Watashitachi wa totemo shitashii tomodachi desu

We are very close friends.

We are very close friends.

• 私たちは - We
• とても - Very
• 親しい - Next, close
• 友達 - friends
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

私の友達はとても親切です。

Watashi no tomodachi wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My friends are very kind.

• 私の友達 - "Watashi no tomodachi" means "my friend" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - "totemo" means "very" in Japanese.
• 親切 - "shinsetsu" means "kind" or "gentle" in Japanese.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.

稀にしか会えない友達がいます。

Mare ni shika aenai tomodachi ga imasu

I have a friend I only see rarely.

I have a friend who can only find me rarely.

• 稀に (mareni) - rarely
• しか (shika) - Only
• 会えない (aenai) - Can't find, can't find
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friends)
• が (ga) - subject particle
• います (imasu) - exist, be present