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Not Just a Word. Not Just a Person.

The word friend might seem universal. You probably think you know what it means. But what if that one word hides completely different meanings across cultures, situations, and languages?

In English, a friend can be anyone — from a childhood companion to someone you met last week. In Russian, друг (drug) implies trust. In German, Freund could mean boyfriend. In Polish, przyjaciel is someone deep in your heart — not just someone you follow on social media.

This isn’t just vocabulary. It’s how people define trust, closeness, and boundaries. And language reveals it all.

How Languages Name Their “Friends”

Let’s compare what “friend” looks like across languages — and how wrong we often get it when translating.

False Friends, Real Confusion

In English, saying “This is my friend” at a party sounds casual.

In German, “Das ist mein Freund” might mean “This is my boyfriend.” In Russian, “Это мой друг” carries weight — it means trust.

In Ukrainian or Polish, calling someone друг or przyjaciel too early might even sound weird. These languages respect emotional distance more strictly.

Even worse? Words like buddy, pal, bro — in translation, they often lose tone, intent, or irony.

Songs and Stories About “Friends”

📀 Songs that redefine friendship:

• “You’ve Got a Friend” – Carole King
• “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers
• “Ein Freund, ein guter Freund…” – German classic
• “Amigos Para Siempre” – Sarah Brightman
• «Старі фотографії» – Скрябін
• «Друг» – ДДТ / Би-2 / Митяев

📚 Books and films that show the real spectrum:

• Of Mice and Men — Steinbeck
• Harry Potter — loyalty and betrayal
• Stand By Me — childhood friendship
• Intouchables (France) — unexpected bonds
• Good Bye, Lenin! — friendship vs loyalty

When Weddings Get Involved: Friend = Role

The idea of friendship enters ritual and tradition — especially in weddings.

• English: Best Man, Maid of Honor
• Russian/Ukrainian: дружка (gender-neutral), дружба — person escorting bride/groom
• German: Trauzeuge, Brautjungfer
• Polish: druh, druhna

These terms come from the same roots as “friend,” but now mean roles, duties, obligations. Here, friendship is no longer just a feeling — it’s a ceremony, a social code.

So… Who Is Your Friend, Really?

Languages don’t just describe relationships. They create them.

They show who you can call a friend, when, and why. They warn you when words pretend to be warm (fake friends) but aren’t. They define how deep, playful, public or private your friendships are — whether you call someone buddy, Freund, дружище, or rafiq.

Next time you say “He’s just a friend,” ask yourself — in which language?

© Tymur Levitin — Author, Director and Senior Teacher

Start Language School by Tymur Levitin / Levitin Language School**

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