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What is the Kanji for 'Friend'? | 友

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Friend', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Friend' is 友.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Friend

    Reading

    kunyomiとも

    tomo

    onyomiゆう

    yuu

    Parts

    𠂇Cliff (厂)Again

    Example Word

    友人: friend. The Japanese noun '友人 (ゆうじん)' means 'friend'. It is a formal or polite term used to refer to a friend, often in written contexts or formal speech. It carries a slightly more mature or respectful tone compared to the more casual '友達 (ともだち)'. For example: He is my friend「彼は私の友人です」(かれはわたしのゆうじんです). I met an old friend「昔の友人に会いました」(むかしのゆうじんにあいました). Note that '友人' is typically used for close or significant friendships, rather than casual acquaintances.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    336

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    𠂇

    Meaning

    Cliff

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Again

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pluck, Extract

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hair

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    友達

    Meaning

    Friend

    word

    友人

    Meaning

    Friend

    word

    Meaning

    Friend

    word

    友情

    Meaning

    Friendship

    word

    親友

    Meaning

    Best friend

Kanji Related to Through the Part 𠂇

These 3 kanji contain the part 𠂇 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Left

    kanji

    Meaning

    Right

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exist

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 又 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lie down, Go to sleep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Degrees, Times

    kanji

    Meaning

    Accept

    kanji

    Meaning

    Take

    kanji

    Meaning

    Branch, Support

    kanji

    Meaning

    Anti

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ritual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Obtain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clamor, Boisterous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Invade

    kanji

    Meaning

    Skin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Search

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soak, Immersed

    kanji

    Meaning

    One of a pair, Ship counter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Both, Pair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Describe, Confer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Uncle, Younger sibling of parent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Servant, Dude

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thin

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 友 mean?

友 means 'Friend'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.