friend

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 友 means friend; its kun-reading is とも and its on-reading is ゆう.
• Basic usage: 友達, read ともだち, means friend; 親友, read しんゆう, means a close friend.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A new relationship and its starting point
  • 友達ができました describes the change of making a new friend.
  • 小学校からの親友 identifies a close friendship that has continued since elementary school.