Recognize 友 in everyday Japanese, learn its meanings (friend) and read it as part of complete words.

The idea

A kanji can have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn each reading with its word. Compare 友達（ともだち） and 友情（ゆうじょう） in the table. 友 has 4 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
友達ともだちfriend
友情ゆうじょうfriendship
友人ゆうじんfriend
親友しんゆうclose friend

Examples

  • 友達ともだちと図書館としょかんで勉強べんきょうします。I study at the library with a friend.
  • 友達ともだちに短みじかい手紙てがみを書かきます。I write a short letter to a friend.
  • 友人ゆうじんが家いえに来きます。A friend is coming to my home.
  • 親友しんゆうと公園こうえんを歩あるきます。I walk through the park with a close friend.
  • 友情ゆうじょうはとても大切たいせつです。Friendship is very important.
  • 友達ともだちの犬いぬは小ちいさいです。My friend’s dog is small.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

友達 is read ともだち, while 友情 is read ゆうじょう. Learn the reading of each complete word; the character does not have just one pronunciation. 友達 is a common everyday word; 友人 is a somewhat more formal word for a friend. 友情 means friendship, not a person.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 友達 in hiragana.

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    ともだち

    友達 is read ともだち; the expression means “friend”.

  2. Write the reading of 友情 in hiragana.

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    ゆうじょう

    友情 is read ゆうじょう; the expression means “friendship”.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿情（ゆうじょう）.

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    友

    友 completes 友情, read ゆうじょう; the expression means “friendship”.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 友 from memory, and read 友達 and 友情 aloud. Check both the readings and meanings.