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:

彼女は私を友達に紹介してくれました。

Kanojo wa watashi o tomodachi ni shōkai shite kuremashita

She introduced me as a friend.

She introduced me to my friend.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• に (ni) - target particle
• 紹介してくれました (shoukai shite kuremashita) - introduced me

旧友と再会した。

Kyūyū to saikai shita

I found an old friend.

I met my old friend again.

• 旧友 - old friend
• と - particle that indicates companionship or connection
• 再会 - reunion
• した - past form of the verb "suru" (to do)

校庭で友達と遊ぶのが好きです。

Kōtei de tomodachi to asobu no ga suki desu

I like to play with my friends in the school courtyard.

I like to play with friends in the school courtyard.

• 校庭 (koutei) - schoolyard
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• と (to) - particle indicating company
• 遊ぶ (asobu) - play/play/have fun
• のが (noga) - particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

滅多に会えない友達を大切にしよう。

Mettani aenai tomodachi wo taisetsu ni shiyou

Let's value the friends we can rarely find.

Take good care of friends you rarely know.

• 滅多に (metta ni) - rarely
• 会えない (aenai) - cannot find
• 友達 (tomodachi) - friend
• を (wo) - object particle
• 大切に (taisetsu ni) - with care, with affection
• しよう (shiyou) - let's do it

私は友達の飲み代を立て替えた。

Watashi wa tomodachi no nomidai wo tatekaereta

I paid my friend's drinks bill.

I changed my friend's drink.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the friend is the owner of the action
• 飲み代 (nomidai) - Japanese noun that means "drinks bill"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 立て替えた (tatekaeta) - Japanese verb in the past that means "to advance the money."

私は友達からプレゼントを貰う予定です。

Watashi wa tomodachi kara purezento o morau yotei desu

I have plans to receive a gift from a friend.

I plan to get a gift from a friend.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 友達 (tomodachi) - Japanese noun meaning "friend"
• から (kara) - particle indicating the origin or starting point, in this case "from"
• プレゼント (purezento) - Japanese noun meaning "gift"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "present"
• 貰う (morau) - Japanese verb meaning "to receive"
• 予定 (yotei) - Japanese noun meaning "plan" or "schedule"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

私の友人はとても親切です。

Watashi no yuujin wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My friend is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - possession particle indicating that "friend" belongs to "me"
• 友人 (yuujin) - noun meaning "friend" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that "friend" is the subject of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 親切 (shinsetsu) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind" in Japanese
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative

私は友達を連れて行きます。

Watashi wa tomodachi o tsurete ikimasu

I will take my friend together.

I take my friends.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 友達 (tomodachi) - noun meaning "friend"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 連れて行きます (tsurete ikimasu) - verb meaning "to take along" or "to accompany", conjugated in the present/future polite tense

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"