What is the difference between [友達]{とも・だち} and [友人]{ゆう・じん}?


From a quick google search, they both refer to **friend**.

Are they completely identical or is there any difference between [友達]{とも・だち}
and [友人]{ゆう・じん}?




It's just that 友人 is more formal than 友達. I don't feel there is any difference
in what they refer to.

For example, saying 「友人が会社を経営していまして。。。」 in a job interview would sound
natural, but saying「友達が会社を経営していまして。。。」 sounds a bit childish. Conversely,
「ずっと友人でいような！」is weird but 「ずっと友達でいような！」 is natural.




It's just that 友人 is more formal than 友達. I don't feel there is any difference
in what they refer to.

For example, saying 「友人が会社を経営していまして。。。」 in a job interview would sound
natural, but saying「友達が会社を経営していまして。。。」 sounds a bit childish. Conversely,
「ずっと友人でいような！」is weird but 「ずっと友達でいような！」 is natural.

