朋友 (péng yǒu): friend

朋友 (péng yǒu) - meaning: friend

pronunciation: "pung yo" with a rising tone on "pung" and a rising, then falling tone on "yo" (or just click the links above to hear Real Audio clips of the pronunciation)

I am going to single-handedly attempt to bring the Mandarin word 朋友 into the English language. I like the way it sounds, and "friend" is a pretty important word in any language. I can imagine it being used in the same way that "amigo" is often used: thrown into an English sentence to address close friends, casual acquaintances or even strangers to whom you bear no ill will.

Example (on the subway, addressing a stranger):
"Don't sit there, my friend, the seat is wet!"

Instead, one could say:
"Beware, 朋友, there is a foul liquid, possibly urine, on that seat."

Now you give it a try, 朋友.