朋友|ほうゆうhouyuu[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounfriend; companion

• Synonym友達ともだちNeutralThe everyday word for a friend, natural in both speech and writing; the headword 「朋友」 is a stiff written word of Chinese origin, rarely said today.
• Synonym友人ゆうじんNeutralA friend, more formal than 「友達」; mostly in written prose or when introducing someone, as in 「友人の結婚式」.
• Synonym友ともNeutralMeans friend, and figuratively a thing one keeps as companion, as in 「読書を友とする」; carries a literary flavor.
• SynonymフレンドNeutralLoanword common in games and social apps, as in 「フレンド申請」; in daily conversation 「友達」 is what people say.
• Synonym仲間なかまNeutralA companion or mate, stressing people who do things together; broader in scope than friend, covering groups and circles as well.
• Synonym仲良しなかよしNeutralColloquial for a close, good friend, with an affectionate ring; often used of children.
• Related同朋どうぼうWrittenWritten word for companions or fellows; historically also the monk-styled retainers who served the shogun. Rarely used today.
• Related味方みかたNeutralSomeone on your side — an ally or supporter; stresses standing on the same side, and need not be a friend.
• Related馴染みなじみNeutralA familiar old acquaintance, as in 「幼馴染み」; also said of places one frequents. Stresses long association rather than friendship itself.
• Related友垣ともがきWrittenWritten, archaic native word for a congenial friend; survives mainly in old songs and poetry.
• Related友朋ゆうほうWrittenWritten and extremely rare; the characters of 「朋友」 reversed, with the same meaning.
• Related知友ちゆうWrittenWritten word for a close friend who truly understands you; implies more intimacy than 「朋友」.
• Antonym敵てきNeutralAn opponent or enemy, as in 「商売敵」; the opposite of a friend.
• Antonym仇あだNeutralThe same word as the entry above, 「仇」 being just another spelling; also a mortal enemy, as in 「親の敵」.

For friends, 「友達」 is the everyday default and 「友人」 the formal, written choice; the headword 「朋友」 is a stiff written word of Chinese origin, now largely confined to old texts and special contexts. 「フレンド」 turns up in games and social apps, 「仲間」 covers companions in a shared activity, 「味方」 an ally on your side, and a close friend is 「親友」.

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

1. 友達ともだち。
2. みかた、仲間なかま。