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战友 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
战友zhànyǒucomrade-in-armsHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #7940, Very Hard
战友zhànyǒubattle companionHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #7940, Very Hard
zhànyǒu(zhan4you3)zhan you T4
  1. 1comrade-in-arms
  2. 2battle companion
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March 24, 2026

战友(戰友)zhànyǒu(zhan4you3)

战友 (zhàn yǒu) refers to a comrade-in-arms or a battle companion, typically used to describe someone who fights alongside you in a military context. The term conveys a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences in adversity, often extending to close friendships forged through challenging situations.

Strokes13Frequency#7940DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, the relationship between 战友 is often seen as sacred, reflecting the deep loyalty and respect developed during military service. This concept is highlighted in many Chinese war films and literature, emphasizing the importance of brotherhood in battle.

Memory Tip

Imagine two warriors standing back to back, ready to fight together. The character 战 (zhàn) looks like two figures in combat, and 友 (yǒu) means friend. Together, they form a bond in battle, making it easy to remember that 战友 means 'battle companion.'

Meanings of 战友

zhànyǒu(zhan4you3)
1comrade-in-arms
2battle companion
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About 战友

战友Simplified
戰友Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 战友

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AI Study Notes for 战友

Quick Contrast

战友 (zhànyǒu) vs 同伴 (tóngbàn) — use 战友 for military contexts, while 同伴 is more general for companions or partners in various situations.

Usage Notes

This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially among military personnel or veterans. A common mistake is using it in unrelated contexts, so ensure it’s used when discussing military or combative scenarios to maintain the appropriate connotation.

HSK Study Tips

While 战友 is not included in the HSK lists, it can be related to other HSK vocabulary concerning friendship and collaboration. Focus on the radicals: 战 (war) and 友 (friend) to help memorize its meaning and usage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 战友 to refer to any friend, which dilutes the term's significance. For example, saying '我和我的战友去看电影' (Wǒ hé wǒ de zhàn yǒu qù kàn diànyǐng) is incorrect if the context is just casual friends.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 战友

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Component Characters

战zhànto fight
HSK 69 strokes戈
View full entry
友yǒufriend
HSK 34 strokes又
View full entry

How to say comrade-in-arms in Chinese

“comrade-in-arms” in Chinese is战友zhànyǒu

战友 (zhàn yǒu) refers to a comrade-in-arms or a battle companion, typically used to describe someone who fights alongside you in a military context. The term conveys a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences in adversity, often extending to close friendships forged through challenging situations.

When to use 战友

This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially among military personnel or veterans. A common mistake is using it in unrelated contexts, so ensure it’s used when discussing military or combative scenarios to maintain the appropriate connotation.

战友 or something close to it

战友 (zhànyǒu) vs 同伴 (tóngbàn) — use 战友 for military contexts, while 同伴 is more general for companions or partners in various situations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 战友 to refer to any friend, which dilutes the term's significance. For example, saying '我和我的战友去看电影' (Wǒ hé wǒ de zhàn yǒu qù kàn diànyǐng) is incorrect if the context is just casual friends.

Write 战友

战
友

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Frequently Asked Questions about 战友

No, 战友 specifically implies a military companion, so it's best reserved for that context.

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