Lifelong Friendships and Changing Life Stages

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP – 30 JULY

Quick Recap – How Friendships Evolve

Friendships change in nature and importance as we grow. In childhood, friendships are based on play and proximity, helping children learn basic social skills. In adolescence, friendships become more emotionally intense and play a key role in shaping identity and providing support.

During early adulthood, friendships are built around shared life experiences like university or work and often require more effort to maintain. By middle adulthood, people tend to focus on fewer, deeper friendships, prioritizing quality over quantity.

In older age, friendships become vital for emotional support and mental well-being, especially as social circles shrink due to retirement or loss.

12 Levels of Friendship

Yesterday having discussed the different stages of friendship and how it evolves through the different stages of our lives, today we thought we will look at the different levels of Friendship and uniquely, the Arabic language has a word for each one of them.

Did you know that in Arabic, there are 12 levels of friendship? For every level of friendship, there is an Arabic word to describe it. From Sadeeq to Khaleel, it is rare to find all 12 levels of friendship in one person.

Here are the 12 levels of friendship in Arabic…

1/ 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙦 (صديق) – a true friend; someone who doesn’t befriend you for an ulterior motive. The word “Sadeeq” is commonly translated as truth, so honesty and loyalty is at the core of this friendship.

2/ 𝘼𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 (أنيس) – someone with whom you’re really comfortable and familiar with, a comforting companion, someone who brings peace and joy through their presence.

3/ 𝙕𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙡 (زميل) – someone you have a nodding acquaintance with. Or it could even mean a person you work or study with. Often used in professional or educational contexts without necessarily implying emotional closeness.

4/ 𝙅𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙨 (جليس) – someone you’re comfortable sitting with for a period of time.

5/ 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙧 (سمير) – you have good conversation with them.

6/ 𝙎𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙗 (صاحب) – someone who’s concerned for your well-being. A versatile word meaning companion or buddy; used commonly in everyday speech. Can range from close friendship to someone you spend a lot of time with.

7/ 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙦 (رفيق) – someone you can depend upon. A closer level of friendship; often used for someone who accompanies you regularly in life or purpose.

8/ 𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙡 (خليل) – an intimate friend; someone whose presence makes you happy. It is said to be the highest, most intimate form of friendship. Deep love, loyalty, and understanding are implied. This word appears in religious texts (e.g., Ibrāhīm ʿalayhi as-salām is referred to as Khalīlullāh – the close friend of Allah).

9/ 𝙉𝙖𝙟𝙞𝙮𝙮 (نجي) – a confidant; someone you trust deeply.

10/ 𝙉𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙢 (نديم) – a drinking companion (just tea) that you might call when you’re free.

11/ 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙞𝙮𝙮 (صفي) – your best friend; someone you’ve chosen over other friends.

12/ 𝙌𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 (قرين) – someone who’s inseparable from you; you know how they think (and vice versa).