What is friendship? Pronunciation and usage in English

friendship means . Learn how to pronounce and use friendship through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of friendship

friendshipnoun

/ˈfrɛn(d)ʃɪp/
Definition & pronunciation of friendship

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "friendship" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈfrɛndʃɪp/

Explanation:

  • ˈfrɛnd - This is the first syllable.
    • fr - Pronounced like the "fr" in "free."
    • ɛnd - The "e" makes an open "e" sound, like in "bed." It's a short, relaxed sound.
  • ʃɪp - This is the second syllable.
    • ʃ - This is the "sh" sound, as in "ship."
    • ɪp - The "i" makes a short "i" sound, like in "bit." The "p" is a very light "p" sound - almost silent in this word.

Putting it together, here's how it sounds:

"Frehnd-ship" (with a slight emphasis on the first syllable, "Frehnd")

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("frehnd"). This means that syllable should be spoken slightly louder and longer than the second ("ship").
  • "Sh" sound: Make sure to pronounce the "sh" clearly.
  • Light "p": Don’t emphasize the “p” at the end of “ship.” It's a very subtle sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce friendship" on Google, and you'll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/friendship/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce friendship" - there are many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Read the word aloud?
  • Break it down syllable by syllable again?

Usage and examples with the word friendship in English

Let's break down how to use the word "friendship" in English. It's a rich word with many nuances!

1. Basic Definition:

  • Friendship is a relationship between people who care about each other, enjoy spending time together, and offer support. It’s often based on mutual trust, respect, and affection.

2. How to Use It in Sentences:

Here are examples of how you can incorporate "friendship" into sentences, categorized by their purpose:

  • Describing a General Concept:

    • "Friendship is one of the most important things in life."
    • "True friendship is a precious gift."
    • "I value friendship above almost everything else."
    • "There’s a strong sense of friendship within this community."
  • Talking about a Specific Friendship:

    • "I've had a wonderful friendship with Sarah for over ten years."
    • "We've built a strong friendship based on shared interests."
    • "Our friendship has gone through some challenges, but we’ve worked through them."
    • “He and I have been best friends since childhood.”
  • Expressing Feelings about Friendship:

    • "I feel so grateful for my friendships."
    • "I cherish the support and understanding of my friends."
    • “I’m so lucky to have such supportive friendships.”
    • "Friendship brings so much joy to my life."
  • Discussing the Importance of Friendship:

    • "Friendship can help us through difficult times."
    • "Good friendships contribute to our mental and emotional well-being."
    • "Nurturing friendships requires effort and communication."
  • Using it as a noun:

    • "She has a deep friendship with her colleague." (Referring to the relationship itself)
    • “Their friendship blossomed during the summer.” (Referring to how their friendship developed)

3. Related Words and Phrases:

  • Friend: The individual person you have a friendship with.
  • Friendship advice: Suggestions about how to maintain or improve friendships.
  • Friendship goals: Things you hope to achieve within your friendships.
  • Friendship bracelet: A handmade bracelet exchanged as a symbol of friendship.
  • A good friend: Someone who is supportive, reliable, and kind.
  • To be friends: To have a friendship with someone.
  • To make friends: To develop a friendship with someone.
  • To lose a friend: To end a friendship (often difficult).
  • Friendship circle: A group of friends.

4. Levels of Friendship:

It's helpful to recognize different types of friendships:

  • Casual Friend: Someone you know and enjoy spending time with occasionally.
  • Close Friend: Someone you trust deeply, share your vulnerabilities with, and rely on.
  • Best Friend: Often considered the closest and most trusted friend.
  • Long-Distance Friend: Someone you maintain a friendship with despite geographical distance.

5. Tips for Using “Friendship” Effectively:

  • Context is Key: Think about what you're trying to communicate. Are you describing the concept of friendship, a specific relationship, or your feelings about it?
  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of just saying "I value friendship," describe how you value it (e.g., "I always make time for my friends," or "I'm there for them when they need me").

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific nuance of the word (e.g., how it’s used in poetry)?
  • Help you write a sentence using “friendship” in a particular context?

Practice with vocabulary friendship

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. Establishing a sense of mutual trust and respect is fundamental for building a lasting _________ between international collaborators.
  2. Although they had only a brief _________ in college, their professional paths crossed again years later.
  3. The company's culture actively promotes open communication and genuine _________ among employees to boost team cohesion.
  4. She relied on the unwavering _________ of her closest friends during a challenging period in her career.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all the words or phrases that correctly complete the sentence.

  1. Which of the following concepts are often considered essential for developing profound and lasting personal bonds? A. Ambition B. Empathy C. Reciprocity D. Friendship

  2. For a non-profit organization, cultivating strong _________ with volunteers is vital for achieving its mission effectively. A. Patronage B. Solidarity C. Camaraderie D. Friendship

  3. While professional networking is important, some individuals find deeper satisfaction in building genuine _________ that extend beyond mere business connections. A. Acquaintances B. Affiliations C. Friendship D. Comradeship

  4. Despite occasional disagreements, the project team maintained a strong sense of _________ throughout the intensive development phase. A. Rivalry B. Comradeship C. Collaboration D. Competition

  5. Developing excellent _________ with clients is crucial for consultants, as it fosters trust and facilitates smoother project execution. A. Disagreement B. Rapport C. Antagonism D. Acquaintance

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences, incorporating the specified changes or a suitable replacement word.

  1. Their shared experiences from university have led to a very close relationship that continues to thrive decades later.

    • (Rewrite, using "friendship")
  2. A strong bond of understanding and mutual support is often considered vital for the well-being of individuals.

    • (Rewrite, using a related form of "friendship" or "friend")
  3. Despite their different roles, there was a feeling of shared purpose and unity among the team members during the crisis.

    • (Rewrite, without using "friendship" or its related forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. friendship
  2. acquaintance
  3. friendship
  4. friendship

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B. Empathy, C. Reciprocity, D. Friendship
  2. B. Solidarity, C. Camaraderie, D. Friendship
  3. C. Friendship, D. Comradeship
  4. B. Comradeship, C. Collaboration
  5. B. Rapport

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Their shared experiences from university have fostered a deep friendship that continues to thrive decades later.
  2. A strong bond of friendship and mutual support is often considered vital for the well-being of individuals.
  3. Despite their different roles, there was a feeling of shared purpose and camaraderie among the team members during the crisis.

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