Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of two hands overlapping. Companions joining hands.
Symbolism
Friendship, companion, trust. 'Friend' is important relationship in Japan.
Anime & Manga
夏目友人帳
Natsume's Book of Friends(2003)
Story of bonds with spirits held in the 'Book of Friends.'
View on Amazon →Games
ポケットモンスター
Pokémon(1996)
Developer: Game Freak
RPG adventuring with Pokémon as 'friends.'
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
善隣友好
ぜんりんゆうこう
neighbourly friendship; neighborly friendship; neighbourly friendship
知己朋友
ちきほうゆう
intimate friends and acquaintances; intimate friends and acquaintances
益者三友
えきしゃさんゆう
three kinds of beneficial friends: straightforward, sincere, and well-informed ones; three kinds of beneficial friends: straightforward, sincere, and well-informed ones
読書尚友
どくしょしょうゆう
by reading books you can count the wise philosophers of the past as friends; by reading books you can count the wise philosophers of the past as friends
損者三友
そんしゃさんゆう
three kinds of harmful friends: hypocritical, sycophantic, and glib-talking ones; three kinds of harmful friends: hypocritical, sycophantic, and glib-talking ones
歳寒三友
さいかんさんゆう
the three friends of winter (pine, bamboo and plum); the three friends of winter (pine, bamboo and plum)
Proverbs & Idioms
類は友を呼ぶ
るいはともをよぶ
Birds of a feather flock together
Like attracts like
Poetry
誰をかも 知る人にせむ 高砂の 松も昔の 友ならなくに
Poem #34 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 友 mean in Japanese?
友 means friend.
How do you read 友?
On'yomi: ユウ (YUU). Kun'yomi: とも (tomo).
How many strokes does 友 have?
友 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 又 (again).
Is 友 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 友 (friend) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for friend