朋友 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 朋友 (péngyou) for "friend" is composed of two characters: 朋 (péng) and 友 (yǒu). The character 朋 originally meant "companion" or "peer," and was often used to refer to people of the same social status or occupation. The character 友, on the other hand, originally meant "to help" or "to assist," and was often used to refer to people who were close to each other and could rely on each other. Over time, the two characters came to be used together to refer to friends, and the compound word 朋友 has become one of the most common ways to say "friend" in Chinese.The etymology of the word 朋友 provides insight into the Chinese concept of friendship. In Chinese culture, friendship is highly valued, and friends are considered to be an important part of one's life. Friends are expected to be loyal, supportive, and trustworthy, and they are often seen as being like family. The word 朋友 itself reflects this concept of friendship, as it is composed of two characters that both have positive connotations and that emphasize the importance of mutual support and assistance.