Common Words for “Friend” in Different Languages
No matter where you go in the world, the word for “friend” connects us all.
It may be fun to try and say them!
- United States – English: Friend
- Germany – German: Freund
- France – French: Ami
- Spain – Spanish: Amigo
- Italy – Italian: Amico
- Russia – Russian: Друг (Druzh)
- China – Mandarin Chinese: 朋友 (Péngyǒu)
- Japan – Japanese: 友達 (Tomodachi)
- South Korea – Korean: 친구 (Chingu)
- Greece – Greek: Φίλος (Fílos)
- Turkey – Turkish: Arkadaş
- Finland – Finnish: Ystävä
- Norway – Norwegian: Venn
- Sweden – Swedish: Vän
- Denmark – Danish: Ven
- Poland – Polish: Przyjaciel
- Netherlands – Dutch: Vriend
- Portugal – Portuguese: Amigo
- India – Hindi: दोस्त (Dost)
- Israel – Hebrew: חבר (Chaver)
- South Africa – Zulu: Umngane
- Swahili-speaking countries – Swahili: Rafiki
- Mexico – Spanish: Amigo
- Argentina – Spanish: Amigo
- Brazil – Portuguese: Amigo
- China (Tibetan region) – Tibetan: ཡིག་ལུགས (Yiglug)
- Papua New Guinea – Tok Pisin: Pela pren
- Hawaii, USA – Hawaiian: Hoaloha
- New Zealand – Māori: Hoa
- Australia – Pitjantjatjara: Pukulpa
*(contributors)
“Nanban” or “Thozhan” Male friend; “Thozhi” feminine in Tamil language (Tamilnadu, India) (*by Priya Alphonse)
Φίλος Fee-los (masculine) Φιλενάδα Fee Le nada Girlfriend (feminine)
(*By Spiri Diamantis)
‘Dost’ in Urdu language (*By Bushra Anis Naqvi)
The word “صديق” (pronounced as “sadiq”) comes from the Arabic root “صدق” (sadq) which is associated with honesty and truthfulness, implying that a “friend” is someone you can trust and rely on. (*By Asma Maaoui)
Conclusion
These simple words not only convey friendship but also reflect cultural values and unique ways of thinking about relationships. Whether it’s Tomodachi in Japan or Pukulpa in Australia, we all seek companionship and camaraderie.