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道Nihongo Path
友

友·friend

On-yomi
ユウ
Kun-yomi
とも

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

4 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
友達ともだちfriend
友人ゆうじんfriend (formal)
親友しんゆうclose friend
友情ゆうじょうfriendship

Example sentences

  1. 友達と映画を見ました。

    ともだちとえいがをみました。

    I watched a movie with a friend.

  2. 彼は私の親友です。

    かれはわたしのしんゆうです。

    He is my close friend.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 友達 as *ゆうたち instead of ともだち

Memory aid

Picture it

Two hands reaching toward each other: friends helping each other.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 友 mean?