学友

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 学友(がくゆう) means a schoolmate or a friend with whom one studied.
• Basic usage: It is used for interaction with fellow students or for a friend from one's school days. Typical patterns are 学友との交流を深める and 昔の学友に会う.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Recognize its somewhat formal tone
  • Compared with everyday 友達, it suits written or formal contexts that emphasize a friendship formed through study.
• Difference from 同級生
  • 同級生(どうきゅうせい) emphasizes being in the same grade or class, while 学友 more broadly means a friend made through studying together.