From the school yard to the sports field, the greatest thing about childhood is finding a friend. Did you know that the core Chinese character for this essential bond is just one simple, ancient character: 友 (yǒu)?
Every day, families like yours search for the simple, beautiful way to write and say this powerful concept. In this article, you and your child will dive deep into the meaning of 友, master the easy 4-step stroke order, and learn the surprising ancient story behind the character, it all starts with a simple handshake. Get ready to learn the true Chinese character for friend!
What Is the Character 友 (yǒu)?
友 (yǒu) is the single character that captures the essence of companionship and individual friendship.
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Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
“yo” (Just like shouting “yo!” to get a friend’s attention)
Why is 友 so important?
In Chinese, while the common word for friend is the two-character phrase 朋友 (péngyou), the character 友 carries the deeper cultural meaning of comradery and loyalty. It often appears in words like:
Friendship: 友谊 (yǒu yì)
Friendly: 友好 (yǒu hǎo)
My good friend: 好友 (hǎo yǒu)
Breaking Down the Character: The Handshake of Trust
The story of 友 is one of the most fun to teach kids because its shape perfectly illustrates its meaning.
The character 友 is composed mainly of the radical 又 (yòu), which means “right hand” or “again.”
Character Component
Original Meaning
Modern Interpretation & Memory Trick
友
Two hands clasped together
The High-Five! The character looks like a hand reaching out for a handshake or a celebratory high-five. In ancient times, two clasped hands signified a trustworthy agreement and the formation of a loyal friendship.
This ancient visual shows that the very foundation of friendship in Chinese culture is built on trust and mutual support, symbolized by the act of joining hands. When your child writes 友, they are essentially drawing a handshake!
The Confucius Connection: Honoring 友
The esteemed philosopher Confucius (孔子) elevated the status of 友 (friend) to a revered position. He taught the importance of loyal companions who could offer support and honest criticism.
The most famous quote involving this character shows the joy of companionship:
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎 (Yǒu péng zì yuǎnfāng lái, bù yì lè hū)
English Meaning: “Isn’t it a joy to have friends come from afar?”
How to Write 友 (yǒu): Easy Stroke Order (4 Steps Total)
Writing the Chinese character for friend is surprisingly simple. 友 has only 4 strokes, making it an excellent character for beginners to master quickly!
Follow the rules: top-to-bottom, left-to-right.
Stroke
Description
Memory Tip (The High-Five Sequence)
1
Start with the small diagonal stroke at the top left.
The starting point of the friend’s arm.
2
Write the long vertical stroke that hooks at the end.
The main forearm.
3
The horizontal stroke in the middle (part of the 又 hand).
The knuckles.
4
The final diagonal stroke going down and right.
The thumb—sealing the handshake!
Once your child finishes the fourth stroke, they have completed the symbol for a faithful friendship!
3 Super Fun Ways to Remember 友 Forever
Use these quick memory tricks to instantly lock the Chinese character for friend into your child’s mind:
The High-Five Handshake: Every time your child sees or writes 友, have them shout “High Five!” and do the gesture. The shape of 友is the shape of a hand reaching out.
The “Yo!” Cheer: Because the pinyin is pronounced “yo,” turn it into a fun cheer! If your child makes a new friend, they can shout “友! Yo!” and give them a high-five.
Recess Rule: Make up a simple rule for recess: “When you play with your 友, you must be 友-friendly (友好)!” This connects the character to a positive behavior they already understand.
How WuKong Education Turns 友 into Real Friendships
The ability to write 友 is just the start. At WuKong Chinese, we help your child take the Chinese character for friend and use it to build real relationships!
We specialize in live, online small-group classes where children practice using phrases like 我的好友 (wǒ de hǎo yǒu) with classmates from around the globe. Our cultural lessons include role-playing scenarios where students practice being 友好 (yǒu hǎo – friendly) and learn social etiquette.
Taught by warm, certified native teachers, WuKong’s curriculum is engaging and designed to match U.S. school schedules. Your child won’t just learn the 4 strokes of 友; they’ll learn the language skills needed to make lasting global friendships. It’s the perfect environment for ages 3–18 to truly master Mandarin.
Conclusion
Your child has now mastered the simple, profound character 友. They know its pronunciation, the ancient meaning of the handshake, and the easy 4-stroke order. This single character is a doorway into Chinese culture and global companionship!
Try practicing the “High-Five Handshake” sequence together at dinner tonight. Ready to turn this character knowledge into genuine communication?
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. How do you say just the character 友 (friend) in Chinese?
It is pronounced yǒu, just like the English word “yo!”
2. What is the Chinese character for best friend?
When used alone, 友 means friend. When talking about a best friend, you would use the phrase 好友 (hǎo yǒu), meaning ‘good friend,’ or the longer phrase 最好的朋友 (zuì hǎo de péngyou).
3. What does the ancient symbol for 友 look like?
The ancient Oracle Bone Script for 友 clearly showed two hand components reaching toward or clasping each other, perfectly illustrating the concept of a mutual handshake.
4. Is 友 the most common way to say friend?
No, the most common everyday word for friend is the two-character phrase 朋友 (péngyou). However, 友 is the key component that carries the meaning of companionship, and it is used in many formal and descriptive terms like 友谊 (friendship).
Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
Graduated from Columbia University in the United States and has rich practical experience in mathematics competitions’ teaching, including Math Kangaroo, AMC… He teaches students the ways to flexible thinking and quick thinking in sloving math questions, and he is good at inspiring and guiding students to think about mathematical problems and find solutions.
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