How to say "pal" in Japanese

• 君きみJLPT N4approx.Common
  pronounPrimarily the familiar second-person pronoun 'you'; its 'buddy, pal' side shows up in direct address, as in English 'hey, pal' — so it is seldom the word for a pal you talk about.
  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.
• 相棒あいぼうCommon
  nounCovers 'pal' as partner: someone at your side in a shared job, hobby, or scheme — the 'accomplice' gloss shows it extends to partners in crime; the tone is warm and loyal.
  こいつ、さっきまで俺おれの相棒あいぼうだったのに、もう寝返ねがえりやがった。↗

  This rat, up until just now he was my partner and now he's gone and turned on me.
• 友ともJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA friend, companion, or comrade; its 'pal' is the friend or comrade sense — a person you speak of as your friend — rather than a term of address.
  まさかの時ときの友ともこそ真しんの友とも。↗

  A friend in need is a friend indeed.
• 仲良しなかよしJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'pal' as bosom buddy: a close friendship or a close friend; the typical context is describing two people who get along well, often children or classmates.
  トムとジョンは仲良なかよしです。↗

  Tom and John are good friends.

For 'pal' as a partner in some shared activity use 相棒; for a friend or comrade, 友; for a bosom buddy or close friendship, 「仲良し」; 君 is really the pronoun 'you', its 'pal' sense confined to direct address.

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

• 君きみyou
• 相棒あいぼうpartner
• 友ともfriend
• 仲良しなかよしclose friendship
• ダチfriend
• 合い口あいくちchum
• 兄弟分きょうだいぶんsworn brother
• ダチ公ダチこうbuddy
• ちみyou
• 仲良しこよしなかよしこよしclose friend