yǒuyì: 友谊 - Friendship

• Keywords: friendship in Chinese, yǒuyì meaning, 友谊, Chinese word for friendship, 朋友 vs 友谊, friendship in Chinese culture, how to say friendship in Mandarin, HSK 4 vocabulary, guanxi
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word for friendship, 友谊 (yǒuyì). This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners, explaining the deep cultural meaning of 友谊, how it differs from the more transactional concept of 关系 (guānxi), and its practical usage in modern China. Discover how to use 友谊 correctly through 10 example sentences with pinyin and analysis, and avoid common mistakes made by English speakers.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǒuyì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: Friendship; companionship; amity.
• In a Nutshell: 友谊 (yǒuyì) refers to the abstract concept of friendship itself—a deep, stable, and respected bond built on trust, loyalty, and mutual understanding. While you have friends (朋友, péngyou), the connection you share with them is 友谊. Think of it as a more formal and profound term than the casual English “friendship,” often implying a serious, long-term commitment.

• 友 (yǒu): This character originally depicted two hands pointing in the same direction, symbolizing cooperation and companionship. It is the core character for “friend.”
• 谊 (yì): This character means “friendship” or “amity.” The left side, `讠`, is the “speech” radical, indicating it's related to communication and relationships. The right side, `宜`, means “suitable” or “proper.”
• Together, 友谊 (yǒuyì) literally translates to a “proper relationship between friends.” It signifies a bond that is not just casual, but righteous, appropriate, and built on meaningful communication and shared values.

In Chinese culture, 友谊 (yǒuyì) is a highly valued and serious relationship, often placed on a level of importance comparable to family. A true friendship is expected to be a lifelong bond characterized by immense loyalty (`忠诚`, zhōngchéng) and a sense of “brotherly righteousness” (`义气`, yìqi), where friends are expected to help each other unconditionally. A crucial distinction for learners is between 友谊 (yǒuyì) and 关系 (guānxi).

• 友谊 (yǒuyì) is pure, emotional, and based on genuine affection and shared experiences. It's about the heart.
• 关系 (guānxi) is a network of social connections that can be leveraged for mutual benefit. It's often more pragmatic and can be transactional.

While a person can have both a deep `友谊` and a useful `关系` with the same individual, the two concepts are fundamentally different. A friendship built only for utility would not be considered a true `友谊`. Chinese culture cherishes friendships that are free from ulterior motives, as celebrated in ancient stories of scholars and heroes who sacrificed everything for their friends.

友谊 (yǒuyì) is an abstract noun, and it is used more formally than its English counterpart. You use it when talking about the concept of friendship, not typically to refer to a casual acquaintance.

• Formal Settings: It's common in speeches, toasts, and official statements. For example, politicians will speak of “the friendship between our two nations” (`我们两国之间的友谊`).
• Deep Conversations: You would use 友谊 when having a heartfelt conversation with a close friend, perhaps saying, “Our friendship is very important to me” (`我们的友谊对我来说很重要`).
• Writing and Media: It often appears in essays, song lyrics, and sentimental social media posts reflecting on the value of a relationship.
• Fixed Expressions: It's a key part of set phrases like `友谊第一，比赛第二` (Friendship first, competition second).

You do not use 友谊 to say you have a friend. For that, you use 朋友 (péngyou).

• Example 1:
  • 我们之间有着深厚的友谊。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhījiān yǒuzhe shēnhòu de yǒuyì.
  • English: There is a deep friendship between us.
  • Analysis: `深厚 (shēnhòu)` means “deep and profound.” This sentence emphasizes the strength and history of the friendship, a very common and natural way to use `友谊`.
• Example 2:
  • 为我们的友谊干杯！
  • Pinyin: Wèi wǒmen de yǒuyì gānbēi!
  • English: Let's toast to our friendship!
  • Analysis: A classic phrase used in social gatherings like dinners or weddings. It's a formal and sincere way to celebrate a bond.
• Example 3:
  • 友谊第一，比赛第二。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuyì dì yī, bǐsài dì èr.
  • English: Friendship first, competition second.
  • Analysis: This is a famous slogan promoting sportsmanship. It highlights the cultural value placed on maintaining good relationships, even in a competitive environment.
• Example 4:
  • 真正的友谊是经得起时间考验的。
  • Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de yǒuyì shì jīng de qǐ shíjiān kǎoyàn de.
  • English: True friendship can withstand the test of time.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `友谊` in a philosophical or reflective way to define its nature. `经得起…考验` is a common structure meaning “to be able to withstand the test of…”.
• Example 5:
  • 他为了利益背叛了我们的友谊。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile lìyì bèipànle wǒmen de yǒuyì.
  • English: He betrayed our friendship for personal gain.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative context. Betraying `友谊` is a serious accusation, implying a violation of loyalty and trust.
• Example 6:
  • 这次文化交流加深了两国人民的友谊。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì wénhuà jiāoliú jiāshēnle liǎng guó rénmín de yǒuyì.
  • English: This cultural exchange deepened the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
  • Analysis: A formal example, typical of news reports or official statements, using `友谊` to describe diplomatic or international relations.
• Example 7:
  • 他们的友谊是从小学开始的。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de yǒuyì shì cóng xiǎoxué kāishǐ de.
  • English: Their friendship began in elementary school.
  • Analysis: A simple, factual statement about the origin of a long-standing friendship.
• Example 8:
  • 我很珍惜我们之间的这份友谊。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn zhēnxī wǒmen zhījiān de zhè fèn yǒuyì.
  • English: I really cherish this friendship between us.
  • Analysis: The measure word `份 (fèn)` is often used with abstract concepts like emotions or relationships, including `友谊`. `珍惜 (zhēnxī)` means “to cherish.”
• Example 9:
  • 我们明天有一场友谊赛。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān yǒu yī chǎng yǒuyìsài.
  • English: We have a friendly match tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Here, `友谊` acts as a modifier in the compound word `友谊赛` (friendly match/exhibition game), indicating the game's purpose is not serious competition but goodwill.
• Example 10:
  • 钱是买不到友谊的。
  • Pinyin: Qián shì mǎi bu dào yǒuyì de.
  • English: Money can't buy friendship.
  • Analysis: A common saying that underscores the cultural belief that true `友谊` is invaluable and pure, separate from material wealth.

The most critical mistake for English speakers is confusing 友谊 (yǒuyì) with 朋友 (péngyou).

• 友谊 (yǒuyì) is the abstract concept of friendship.
• 朋友 (péngyou) is the person who is your friend.

Think of it like “love” vs. a “lover.” You feel love (the concept) for your lover (the person). You have friendship (友谊) with your friend (朋友). Incorrect Usage:

• `他是我最好的友谊。` (Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de yǒuyì.)
• Why it's wrong: This literally means “He is my best friendship.” It makes no sense. You are referring to a person, so you must use the word for a person.
• Correct Usage: `他是我最好的朋友。` (Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyou.) - “He is my best friend.”

• 朋友 (péngyou) - Friend. The person with whom you share `友谊`.
• 知己 (zhījǐ) - An intimate friend who truly knows you; a “soulmate” friend. This is the highest level of `友谊`.
• 义气 (yìqi) - A code of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and honor, especially among close male friends (`兄弟`, xiōngdì). A core component of deep `友谊`.
• 闺蜜 (guīmì) - A female best friend; “bestie.” A modern, gender-specific term for a deep and intimate friendship between women.
• 老铁 (lǎo tiě) - (Slang) “Old iron”; a very close buddy, bro. An informal and popular term for a reliable friend.
• 兄弟 (xiōngdì) - Brother(s); often used metaphorically to refer to very close male friends, implying a bond as strong as family.
• 感情 (gǎnqíng) - Feeling, emotion, affection. `友谊` is a type of `感情`.
• 关系 (guānxi) - Relationships, connections. The network of social ties, which can be based on `友谊` but is often more pragmatic. Contrast this with the pure emotion of `友谊`.