Japanese meaning of 類は友を呼ぶ
Reading:
るいはともをよぶ (rui wa tomo o yobu)
English Translation:
Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
People with similar interests or character naturally associate.
Cultural Context:
Matches Japanese social grouping tendencies in schools and communities.
似た価値観や性格を持つ人々は自然と集まるという意味。
学校や地域社会で似た価値観の人が集まりやすい傾向と一致する。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 類 (rui) = “kind/type” (noun)
• は (wa) = topic particle
• 友 (tomo) = “friend” (noun)
• を (o) = object marker
• 呼ぶ (yobu) = “to call/invite” (verb)
Topic–comment structure with a transitive verb, expressing natural attraction between similar entities.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it’s a metaphor for people with similar traits naturally gathering.
Example
Basic Example
似た者同士は集まりやすく、類は友を呼ぶものだ。
People with similar interests gather—birds of a feather flock together.
Applied Example
恋バナ好きばかりの部に新人が入ってきた、やっぱり類は友を呼ぶ。
A romance-obsessed newbie joined the club—birds of a feather flock together.