ידיד

Apparently from יָד‎ (yad, “hand”); literally, perhaps conveying the notion of being hand in hand.

• (Modern Israeli Hebrew) IPA^(key): /jaˈdid/

יָדִיד • (yadíd) m (plural indefinite יְדִידִים‎, singular construct יְדִיד־, plural construct יְדִידֵי־‎, feminine counterpart יְדִידָה‎) [pattern: קָטִיל]

1. A (male) platonic friend.

• While the synonym חָבֵר‎ (khavér) is more common in Modern Hebrew, it is ambiguous between a platonic friend and a romantic one; יָדִיד‎ may therefore be used to avoid this ambiguity, though the question חבר חבר או רק חבר?‎ (khaver khaver o rak khaver?, “boyfriend-friend or just friend?”) is also used.

• (friend): חָבֵר‎ m (khavér)

• יָזִיז‎ (yazíz)