Definitions
(noun)
friend
Etymology
Depicts a pair of strings of jade mounted together. The meaning later shifted to "friend". Not related to 月 (moon), despite the visual similarity.
About
The character "朋" originally depicted two strings of cowrie shells, a form which conceptually represented a unit of currency or value, and this imagery naturally lent itself to the idea of a pair or a matching set. Over time, this concrete sense of a paired entity evolved into a more abstract social meaning, referring to companions or associates who are considered of equal standing or shared purpose. Its structural composition, consisting of two identical "月" components placed side by side, visually reinforces this notion of parallelism and fellowship. The meaning further deepened in classical texts, where Confucian discourse emphasized "朋" as someone who shares one's virtuous aspirations, distinguishing it from more casual acquaintances and cementing its core definition as a friend or comrade bound by mutual respect and common principles.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的朋友很多。
我和朋友去公园。
这个朋友很友好。
她是我最好的朋友。
朋友们都来参加聚会。
我经常和朋友们一起学习。
在新学校，我交到了新朋友。
虽然我们相距遥远，但仍然是好朋友。