友人

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 友人 is read as ゆうじん and is a relatively neutral or formal noun for a friend.
• Basic usage: Meeting a friend at a station appears in 友人と駅で会う, while receiving a letter from an old friend appears in 古い友人から手紙が届く.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 友達
  • The meanings are similar, but 友人 is relatively neutral in introductions or writing, while 友達 is common in everyday conversation.