| Beginners in Chinese learn that 朋友 (péng you) is how you say “friend,” but just like in English, there are various ways to describe friendships in Mandarin. Whether you’re referring to your bestie, colleague or anything in between, find out all the terms for “friend” in Chinese in this article.  朋友 (péng you): The Most Common Way to Say “Friend” This is the most common way to say “friend” in Mandarin Chinese. It can be used to refer to any kind of friend, from a casual acquaintance to a close confidante. You can use 朋友 to address someone directly or to talk about friends in general. For example: 这是我的朋友。 (zhè shì wǒ de péng you) — This is my friend 朋友们一起出去吃饭。 (péng you men yì qǐ chū qù chī fàn) — The friends are going out to eat together. You can quite easily get away with only knowing the word 朋友 for “friend” in Chinese. But for more nuanced relationships, there are plenty of other words for “friend” in Chinese. 知己 (zhī jǐ) — Intimate friend Is someone more than just a friend to you? Use this word to refer to your bosom friend who understands you deeply. This term carries a profound sense of understanding. You would typically reserve 知己 for those few individuals who truly know you well and with whom you have a strong emotional connection. 好朋友 (hǎo péng you) — Good friend This is a general term for a friend who is close and trustworthy, but may not necessarily be as intimately connected as a 知己. You can use 好朋友 to refer to friends with whom you have a strong and positive relationship. These are the friends you enjoy spending time with, sharing experiences, and supporting each other. 亲友 (qīn yǒu) — Dear friend This word combines 亲 (qīn) meaning “close” or “dear” with 友 (yǒu) meaning “friend.” 亲友 is often used to describe friends who aren’t just casual acquaintances but have a deeper and more meaningful connection. These are the friends you might turn to for support in times of need! 好友 (hǎo yǒu) — Good friend 好友 also means “good friend” but is a more casual term compared to the previous two. It can encompass a broader range of friendships, including both close and less close friends. You can use it to refer to friends with whom you have a good relationship, whether they’re very close or more casual friends. 亲近的人 (qīn jìn de rén) — Close Person This is another term used to refer to family members or friends with whom you share a deep emotional bond and intimacy. It often refers to those individuals who know you well, with whom you share your thoughts and feelings and who are an integral part of your life. 老朋友 (lǎo péng you) — Old friend 老朋友 literally translates to “old friend.” It’s used to refer to someone with whom you’ve had a long-standing relationship or friendship. It’s often used to describe friends you’ve known for a significant period of time, regardless of the level of closeness. 老友 (lǎo yǒu) — Old friend/buddy 老友 also translates to “old friend,” but it carries a more informal and colloquial tone. This term can be seen as a bit nostalgic and is often used in a casual or friendly context, similar to how you might refer to an old buddy or pal in English. 志同道合的人 (zhì tóng dào hé de rén) — Like-minded individuals People who share the same aspirations and values are often referred to as 志同道合的人. This term refers to people who share similar goals, values, beliefs or interests. In essence, the term emphasizes the idea that these individuals not only have common interests but also share a deep sense of alignment in their values and goals, which brings them together in a meaningful way. It’s used to highlight the unity and camaraderie among like-minded individuals. |
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