How to say "buddy" in Japanese

• 君きみJLPT N4approx.Common
  pronounCovers buddy only as a familiar way of addressing someone: it is really the informal pronoun 'you', used to a close male friend, a boy, or someone junior.
  宿題しゅくだいを忘わすれるなんて君きみは不注意ふちゅういだった。↗

  It was careless of you to forget your homework.
• 親友しんゆうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe noun for buddy in the sense of a close friend, even a best friend; use it when talking about the friendship itself rather than addressing the person.
  トムとフランクは親友しんゆうだ。↗

  Tom and Frank are good friends.
• 野郎やろうCommon
  nounReally a rough word for 'guy' or 'fellow', often derogatory; its buddy sense is rough masculine banter, so it is not a neutral way to call someone your friend.
• 大統領だいとうりょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThis is really the word for the president of a country; it is only marginally a way to say buddy, and seldom the word you want for a friend.
• お兄さんおにいさんJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounLiterally 'older brother', but also a friendly way to address a young man, like calling someone 'young man' or 'fella'; it is address, not a word for an actual friend.

Use 親友 for buddy as a close friend, 君 or 「お兄さん」 when addressing someone familiar or a young man, 野郎 only in rough masculine speech, and avoid 大統領, which really means president.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 君きみyou
• 親友しんゆうclose friend
• 野郎やろうguy
• バディbuddy
• ダチ公ダチこうbuddy
• ダチfriend
• 兄弟分きょうだいぶんsworn brother
• 茶飲み友達ちゃのみともだちtea-drinking companion
• だちともfriend
• ちみyou
• マイメンclose friend
• 大統領だいとうりょうbig man
• 兄さんにいさんyoung man
• お兄さんおにいさんyoung man
• 悪友あくゆうpartner-in-crime (i.e. good friend)