Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'close friendship' depends on the nuance: deep emotional bond, inseparable companionship, or a relationship that goes beyond formality. The most common and natural way is to describe the relationship itself rather than using a single noun.
Describing a friendship characterized by deep trust, understanding, and emotional closeness, often built over time.
Refers to a best friend or a very close friend; implies a deep, trusting relationship. Often used for a single person.
彼は私の親友です。
He is my close friend.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'close friend'. Slightly more formal than 親友, and can be used for multiple friends.
彼女は親しい友人の一人です。
She is one of my close friends.
Describes a good, close relationship. Very common in spoken Japanese. Can be used for friends, family, or colleagues.
私たちはとても仲が良いです。
We are very close friends.
A somewhat formal noun meaning 'close friendship' or 'intimacy'. Often used in written or formal contexts.
両家は長年にわたって親交があります。
The two families have enjoyed a close friendship for many years.
Literally 'deep friendship'. Emphasizes the depth of the bond. Can sound slightly literary or dramatic.
彼らの間には深い友情がある。
There is a deep friendship between them.
Expressing that two people are always together and share a very close, almost sibling-like bond.
Means 'intimate relationship'. Can refer to close friendship, but also to romantic or family relationships. Context clarifies.
彼とは親密な関係を築いてきた。
I've built a close friendship with him.
Idiom meaning 'as one body and spirit'; describes an extremely close, inseparable bond. Can be used for best friends or couples.
あの二人は一心同体だ。
Those two are inseparable.
Means 'strong bond'. Often used for friendships, family ties, or team relationships. Emphasizes loyalty and unbreakable connection.
私たちは固い絆で結ばれている。
We are bound by a close friendship.
Clarifying that the friendship is close but platonic, especially when the relationship could be misinterpreted.
A set phrase meaning 'more than friends, less than lovers'. Describes a very close friendship that borders on romantic but isn't.
私たちの関係は友達以上恋人未満です。
Our relationship is a close friendship, but not romantic.
Since 親友 can sometimes imply a very deep bond that might be mistaken for romance, you can add a phrase like 恋愛感情はない (no romantic feelings).
彼は私の親友で、恋愛感情はありません。
He is my close friend, and there are no romantic feelings.
The English phrase 'close friendship' is often unnatural if translated literally as 近い友情 (chikai yūjō). Instead, describe the relationship or use set phrases like 親友 or 仲が良い.
親友 is a noun meaning 'best friend' or 'close friend', while 仲が良い is an adjective phrase describing a good relationship. Use 親友 to refer to a specific person, and 仲が良い to describe the state of the relationship.