知己

zhī jǐ · HSK 7

intimate friend

🤝 知 know + 己 self = one who knows you = a bosom friend

知 is to know; 己 means oneself or one's own self. Someone who knows your inner self this well is a true intimate friend, a confidant. The same 己 shows up in 自己 (oneself).

More Chinese words · How Chinese works