友 means “friend”
とも · tomo
- Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)
- とも
- On'yomi (Chinese reading)
- ユウ
JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 2 · 4 strokes
The story
Two hands reaching: friendship is a gesture extended and returned, simple and profound.
Often found in words for friendship and companionship
Where it comes from
Compound Ideographic (会意文字): Two right hands reaching toward each other: mutual help.
Friendship is two hands reaching in the same direction: people working together. The ancient form literally showed two right hands (又) stacked, representing cooperation and mutual support.
To remember it: Two hands (ナ + 又) reaching the same way. That's friendship.
Its parts
- 丿 Left hand · Top
- 又 Right hand · Bottom
Two hands reaching toward each other: friend
Words with 友
- 友人 (ゆうじん, yuujin): friend
Example sentences
- 友達と映画を見ました。 I watched a movie with my friend.
- 新しい友達ができました。 I made a new friend.
- 友情は宝物です。 Friendship is a treasure.
Kanji that look like 友
- 反 (anti / opposite): 反 flips the top stroke direction: the opposite of a friend
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- 喜 joy
Learn 友 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji
Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.