How to say "friend" in Japanese

• 友達ともだちJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe default word for a friend in everyday conversation; covers the general sense of a person you know well and like. Safe choice in most contexts.
  犬いぬは人間にんげんの最もっとも親したしい友達ともだちである。↗

  Dogs are man's closest friends.
• 味方みかたJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveNot a personal friend in the usual sense but an ally or supporter: someone on your side in a conflict, debate, or competition. Often the word you want is actually 友達 for 'friend'.
  私は民主主義みんしゅしゅぎの味方みかただ。↗

  I am on the side of democracy.
• 友人ゆうじんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounAlso means simply 'friend', with a somewhat more formal or written flavor than 友達. Common in announcements, introductions, and polite speech.
  私の友人ゆうじんの１人ひとりが私に会あいにきました。↗

  A friend of mine came to see me.
• 仲間なかまJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers a comrade, mate, or fellow member of a group or shared activity rather than a close personal friend. Choose it when the emphasis is on belonging together, as in teammates or colleagues.
  田中たなかさんは父ちちのつり仲間なかまの一人ひとりだ。↗

  Mr. Tanaka is one of my father's fishing companions.
• フレンドCommon
  nounA loanword meaning 'friend', used chiefly for contacts on social media, games, and other online services. For an ordinary friend in speech, 友達 or 友人 is normally the better choice.

Use 友達 for an everyday friend, 友人 for a slightly more formal friend, 味方 for someone on your side, 仲間 for a comrade or group member, and 「フレンド」 mainly for online or game friends.

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

• 友達ともだちfriend
• 味方みかたfriend
• 友人ゆうじんfriend
• 仲間なかまcompanion
• フレンドfriend
• 友ともfriend
• 知人ちじんfriend
• アミfriend
• 交友こうゆうfriend
• 朋友ほうゆうfriend
• 顔なじみかおなじみacquaintance
• アミーゴfriend (esp. male)
• ダチfriend
• 朋友ポンユーfriend
• 友垣ともがきfriend
• だちともfriend
• お友達おともだちfriend
• 朋輩ほうばいcomrade
• 知る辺しるべacquaintance
• ダチ公ダチこうbuddy
• 知る人しるひとacquaintance
• ナカーマcompanion
• 知友ちゆう(close) friend
• 兄弟きょうだいmate