Friends and rivals
Core words, Stage 2chunk 29 of 80People
Lets you say who is close to you or on your side.
Mix-ups yuujin is the formal tomodachi; mikata also means 'way of seeing'.
mikata
ally; someone on your side
Most often in X no mikata (on X's side).
Opposite: teki (enemy). Mix-up: mikata also means 'way of seeing' (見方).
watashi wa zutto mikata da kara ne.
I'll always be on your side.
私はずっと味方だからね。
watashi wa zutto mikata desu kara.
I'll always be on your side.
私はずっと味方ですから。
Written 味方 · みかたRank #1178 in 3,030 TV dramas
yuujin
friend
The formal word for friend, used in introductions and speeches; in chat say tomodachi.
kochira wa daigaku jidai no yuujin desu.
This is a friend from my university days.
こちらは大学時代の友人です。
Written 友人 · ゆうじんRank #1531 in 3,030 TV dramas
shin'yuu
best friend; close friend
A really close friend; you can have more than one.
kanojo wa shougakkou kara no shin'yuu na n da.
She's been my best friend since elementary school.
彼女は小学校からの親友なんだ。
kanojo wa shougakkou kara no shin'yuu desu.
She's been my best friend since elementary school.
彼女は小学校からの親友です。
Written 親友 · しんゆうRank #2241 in 3,030 TV dramas
raibaru
rival
Also for love rivals: koi no raibaru.
ano futari, mukashi kara raibaru na n da.
Those two have been rivals forever.
あの二人、昔からライバルなんだ。
ano futari wa mukashi kara raibaru desu.
Those two have been rivals for a long time.
あの二人は昔からライバルです。
Written ライバルRank #2849 in 3,030 TV dramas