Translation and Meaning of: 友 - tomo

The Japanese word 友[とも] carries deep and everyday meanings, being essential for those who study the language or are interested in Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and use in different contexts, as well as practical tips for memorization. If you seek to understand how the Japanese view friendship or want to expand your vocabulary, this guide will help you.

Meaning and use of 友 [とも]

友[とも] is a word that means "friend" in Japanese, but with a nuance closer and more intimate than the generic term 友人[ゆうじん]. While 友人 can be used in formal situations, 友 has a more casual and affectionate tone, often used among people who share a relationship of trust.

An interesting detail is that 友 rarely appears alone in daily life. Japanese people usually combine it with other terms, like 親友[しんゆう] (best friend) or 男友[だんとも] (male friend). This characteristic reinforces how the Japanese language values the construction of relationships through language.

Origin and writing of the kanji 友

The kanji 友 is composed of two radicals: 又 (right hand) and ナ (a variation of 又). This combination suggests the idea of "hands that help each other," reflecting the concept of friendship as mutual support. The etymology dates back to Ancient China, where the character already represented bonds of companionship.

In modern writing, 友 maintains this essence, but with an interesting fact: although it is read as とも in isolated words, in compounds like 友情[ゆうじょう] (friendship), the reading changes to ゆう. This duality is common in kanji and highlights the importance of studying vocabulary in context.

Tips for memorizing and using 友[とも]

An effective way to memorize 友[とも] is to associate it with real situations. For example, in animes and dramas, close characters often use 友達[ともだち] (the most common form of "friend"). Observing these dynamics helps to understand when the term sounds natural.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences like "彼はいい友だ" (he is a good friend). Avoid literal translations from Portuguese, as Japanese prioritizes the implicit relationship. Suki Nihongo, one of the best online dictionaries, provides real examples that illustrate these subtle differences well.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 仲間 (nakama) - Companion, partner; can refer to friends or colleagues in an organization.
• 友人 (yūjin) - Friend; it usually refers to a close or intimate friend.
• とも (tomo) - Friend; a more informal and affectionate way to refer to friends.
• 仲間入りする (nakama iri suru) - Join a group of companions; become part of a team or community.
• 親友 (shinyū) - Best friend; usually implies a deeper and more lasting relationship than "friend".

友

Romaji: tomo
Kana: とも
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: friend;companion;partner

Meaning in English: friend;companion;pal

Definition: Tomo: Refers to close friends and acquaintances.

Example Sentences - (友) tomo

See below some example sentences:

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) - my
• 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

Play with three friends.

Play with three friends.

• 三人 - three people
• の - Possession particle
• 友達 - friends
• と - connecting particle
• 一緒に - together
• 遊ぶ - Play

中学で友達をたくさん作りました。

Chuugaku de tomodachi wo takusan tsukurimashita

I made many friends in high school.

• 中学 - Secondary school
• で - particle that indicates the place where something happened
• 友達 - friends
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• たくさん - many
• 作りました - made, created

友達に囲まれて幸せです。

Tomodachi ni kakomarete shiawase desu

I'm happy surrounded by friends.

I am happy to be surrounded by friends.

• 友達 (tomodachi) - means "friends" in Japanese
• に (ni) - a Japanese particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
• 囲まれて (kakomarete) - a Japanese verb form meaning "to be surrounded"
• 幸せ (shiawase) - means "happy" in Japanese
• です (desu) - a polite way of saying "is" or "are" in Japanese

友好関係を築くことが大切です。

Yuukou kankei wo kizuku koto ga taisetsu desu

Building a friendship is important.

It is important to build a friendship.

• 友好関係 (Yūkō kankei) - Friendly Relations
• を (wo) - object particle
• 築く (kizuku) - Build
• こと (koto) - Abstract noun
• が (ga) - Subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

周りにはたくさんの友達がいる。

Mawari ni wa takusan no tomodachi ga iru

There are many friends nearby.

• 周り (mawari) - around
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• たくさん (takusan) - many
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friends
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• いる (iru) - verb that indicates existence or presence

小学校で友達を作るのは楽しいです。

Shougakkou de tomodachi wo tsukuru no wa tanoshii desu

Making friends in elementary school is fun.

It's fun to make friends in elementary school.

• 小学校で - in primary school
• 友達を - friends
• 作る - make
• のは - is
• 楽しい - fun
• です - (sentence ending particle)

彼は友情を絶った。

Kare wa yūjō o tatta

He cut the friendship.

He lost his friendship.

• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 友情 - Japanese noun meaning "friendship"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 絶った - Japanese past tense verb meaning "ended" or "broke"

彼女は病気の友人を見舞うために病院に行きました。

Kanojo wa byouki no yuujin wo mimau tame ni byouin ni ikimashita

She went to the hospital to visit a sick friend.

She went to the hospital to see her sick friend.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 病気 (byouki) - disease
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 友人 (yuujin) - amigo/amiga
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 見舞う (mimau) - visit (someone who is ill)
• ために (tameni) - for
• 病院 (byouin) - hospital
• に (ni) - Location particle
• 行きました (ikimashita) - foi (past tense of ir)