How to say "friendly" in Japanese

• フレンドリーCommon
  na-adjectiveThe most direct equivalent: describes an open, approachable manner that puts others at ease, as with welcoming staff or a person who is easy to talk to.
  あの人ひとは、見た目みためはこわそうだけど、フレンドリーな人ひとですよ。心配しんぱいしないで。↗

  Don't worry. He may look intimidating at first glance, but he's actually a very friendly person.
• 気さくきさくCommon
  na-adjectiveDescribes a personality rather than a mood: someone unpretentious and openhearted who mixes readily with anyone. Choose it when 'friendly' means approachable without airs or formality.
  ある意味いみでは、丁寧ていねい語ごは気きさくな雰囲気ふんいきを壊こわす。↗

  Polite language, in a sense, spoils a casual atmosphere.
• 親しいしたしいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'friendly' only in the sense of an established close relationship: a close friend, or people who know each other well. It describes the bond itself, not an outgoing manner toward strangers.
  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.
• 親切しんせつJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounReally means kind and considerate, so it is seldom the word you want for 'friendly'. Reach for it when the warmth shows as generous, thoughtful behavior rather than an approachable manner.
  あなたの家族かぞくはきっと親切しんせつでしょう。↗

  Your family must be very nice.
• 和やかなごやかJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveDescribes a calm, gentle mood or setting rather than a person's character — a relaxed, harmonious atmosphere at a gathering or discussion. For 'friendly' it works only in that atmospheric sense.
  オフィスにはなごやかな雰囲気ふんいきがある。↗

  There is a friendly atmosphere in the office.

Use 「フレンドリー」 for an approachable, outgoing manner, 「気さく」 for an unpretentious personality, 「親しい」 for an existing close relationship, 親切 for kindness rather than friendliness, and 「和やか」 for a relaxed, amicable atmosphere.

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

• フレンドリーfriendly
• 気さくきさくfriendly
• 親しいしたしいclose (e.g. friend)
• 親切しんせつkind
• 和やかなごやかmild
• 気安いきやすいrelaxed
• さくいfriendly
• 互助的ごじょてきfriendly
• 親しみやすいしたしみやすいfriendly
• 人懐っこいひとなつっこいfriendly
• 友好的ゆうこうてきfriendly
• 親しみ深いしたしみぶかいfriendly
• 親しげしたしげfriendly
• 色よいいろよいfavorable
• 人当たりがいいひとあたりがいいaffable
• 親善試合しんぜんじあいfriendly match
• 人当たりの良いひとあたりのよいaffable
• 交流戦こうりゅうせんexhibition game
• 睦まじいむつまじいharmonious (couple, family, etc.)
• 心安いこころやすいintimate
• 和気あいあいわきあいあいharmonious
• 近いちかいclose (relationship)
• 直ちょくeasygoing
• ほのぼのwarmly
• くだけたinformal (e.g. greeting, expression)
• 親和的しんわてきcompatible