====== yǒuyì: 友谊 - Friendship ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**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 Sentences =====
  * **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 **yǒuyì**sài.
    * 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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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`.