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:

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'"

私の親友はいつも私を支えてくれます。

Watashi no shinyuu wa itsumo watashi o sasaete kuremasu

My best friend always supports me.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle, indicating that "watashi" is the possessor
• 親友 (shin'yuu) - means "best friend" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicating that "shin'yuu" is the subject of the sentence
• いつも (itsumo) - means "always" in Japanese
• 私を (watashi wo) - "wo" is a direct object particle, indicating that "watashi" is the object of the sentence
• 支えてくれます (sasaete kuremasu) - "sasaete" means "to support", "kuremasu" is a polite form of "kureru", which means "to do for someone". Together, they mean "to do for someone the act of supporting", indicating that "shin'yuu" always supports "watashi".

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

私の配偶者は私の最高の友人です。

Watashi no haigūsha wa watashi no saikō no yūjin desu

My spouse is my best friend.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 配偶者 - noun meaning "spouse" in Japanese
• は - particle indicating the theme or subject of the sentence
• 最高 - adjective meaning "better" or "superior" in Japanese
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 友人 - noun meaning "friend" in Japanese
• です - verb to be in the polite Japanese form

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