Proverb / Kotowaza
竹馬の友
A close friend from early childhood.
Friend of the bamboo horse
Quick Answer
A close friend from early childhood.
- Literal Image
- Friend of the bamboo horse
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a deep and long-standing friendship that dates back to one's earliest years.
Meaning
A friend with whom one played since a very young age. It refers to a lifelong companion or a childhood acquaintance whose bond was formed during early years, represented by the image of children playing together on bamboo hobby horses.
Literal Image
Friend of the bamboo horse
How to Use It
Used to describe a deep and long-standing friendship that dates back to one's earliest years.
Tone
Carries a warm, nostalgic, and respectful tone.
Examples
彼とは竹馬の友で、幼稚園の頃からの付き合いだ。
He is a childhood friend of mine; we've known each other since kindergarten.
竹馬の友との再会は、何十年ぶりでも一瞬で昔に戻れる。
Reuniting with a childhood friend instantly takes you back to the old days, even after several decades.
竹馬の友だった彼が、今では大企業の社長になっていると聞いて驚いた。
I was surprised to hear that he, who was my childhood friend, is now the president of a large corporation.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The kanji themselves are intermediate, but 'chikuba' (bamboo horse) is a specific historical item that makes the phrase idiomatic.
竹馬
ちくば / chikuba
bamboo horse; stilts or a hobby horse made of bamboo
友
とも / tomo
friend
Usage Profile
Usage note: While warm, it is slightly more formal than the word 'osananajimi'.
Misread Risk
Do not use it to describe a new friend; it strictly applies to those known since childhood.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.