jkph00:"Koramiko" would be a "dear friend" in English, or perhaps even a "friend of the heart." Anyone who has had such a friend will savor that one. Dankon!

A dear friend would probably just be "kara amiko" in Esperanto, a "koramiko" is an entirely different type of "dear friend" (the romantic "dear friend").

A "kara koramiko", now, that's something I don't think I'd mind!

ceigered:konato for people you don't care about, (mal)amiko for people you do care about

For a full spectrum, see Geo's post

E.g. other than you being a fellow human being, I don't actually really know you and other than our shared humanity neither of us would be relatively important to one another, ergo we'd be malproksimaj kontatoj (although amiko could be used for respect or politeness, but of course calling someone your friend (mate/buddy) when they don't feel that way could be awkward, especially with people of the opposite sex (personal experience), except when using it as a term of address (E.g. "hey can you help me?" "Yeah sure mate/friend". Just hope they're chilled!).

Mind you, from your profile picture you seem like a very friendly person, so I'm sure you'd get away with it. People like me with a rather indifferent look on our faces would probably look a bit suspect though haha.

That first sentence is a powerful clarifier. Thank you. I'm intrigued by how "enemy" is created by the prefix "mal" added to the word for "friend." THAT's certainly an intriguing construction that fits perfectly with what you said, yet retains the possibility of forgiveness or reconciliation to drop it again. I really am enjoying learning this language! Denove dankon!

By the way, yes, I can understand that with different looks, one might want to be careful whom one called "amiko."

ceigered:

jkph00:"Koramiko" would be a "dear friend" in English, or perhaps even a "friend of the heart." Anyone who has had such a friend will savor that one. Dankon!

A dear friend would probably just be "kara amiko" in Esperanto, a "koramiko" is an entirely different type of "dear friend" (the romantic "dear friend").

A "kara koramiko", now, that's something I don't think I'd mind!

Thanks for the warning regarding "koramiko." But let me ask about another type of friend. When small, my children had same-sex friends that they would have laid down their lives for. They loved those friends as only a child can. That was the kind of friend I wrongly thought might be referred to as a "koramiko." How would one call such a friend in Esperanto? Would that simply be "plej bona amiko"? That seems to miss the mark to me.

geo63:

malproksima konato
konato
proksima konato
amiko
bona amiko
la plej bona amiko
koramiko
simpatiulo/simpatiulino

and so on...

How come 'simpatiulo' comes after 'koramiko' in that list? Seems like the list is ordered in accordance with the level of friendship.

'koramikino' is probably a somewhat closer friend than a 'simpatiulino'. In fact, a 'simpatiulino' might not even be a friend - doesn't it just mean that the person is nice, you like them? - but it doesn't clarify whether the person actually likes you in return.

jkph00: They loved those friends as only a child can. That was the kind of friend I wrongly thought might be referred to as a "koramiko." How would one call such a friend in Esperanto? Would that simply be "plej bona amiko"? That seems to miss the mark to me.

I see what you mean, and indeed "koramiko" does seem like that (in fact, shouldn't all male/female friends of that closeness be "koramikoj" anyway? ).

Kara amiko seems to sort of fit the bill. "Plej bona amiko" sounds a bit strange unless you're saying it with something else like "mia plej bona amiko", and it is a bit clunky.

In the end though, I don't think I'm experienced enough in Esperanto and in friendships to think of a good translation for that idea. Best that a more experienced esperantist who's older than me have a crack at it!

Chainy:

geo63:

malproksima konato
konato
proksima konato
amiko
bona amiko
la plej bona amiko
koramiko
simpatiulo/simpatiulino

and so on...

How come 'simpatiulo' comes after 'koramiko' in that list? Seems like the list is ordered in accordance with the level of friendship.

Surely 'koramikino' is a somewhat closer friend than a 'simpatiulino'? In fact, a 'simpatiulino' might not even be a friend!

With such analitical powers you should be matematician, no doubt. Who says that the list is complete or sorted in any order - these are just some possibilities. So stop finding holes in everything, man. (or "daj se w żyłę" )

sudanglo:'Amiko' can be use I think with a false bonhomie. So a politician addressing a crowd might say 'Karaj amikoj'.

Lately I have been wondering about how to render 'my dear fellow', 'my good chap', 'my good man' - I've been reading Sherlock Holmes.

I noticed that in the French translation 'mon cher ami' is often used in the text.

Anyway, I suspect 'amiko' can be used in Esperanto with some degree of insincerity.

Yes, we Americans see a lot of false bonhomie used by politicians. We generally figure that if their lips are moving, they're lying. I'll have to be aware of the possibility with "amiko," too. Dankon!

Aren't the Sherlock Holmes stories by Doyle wonderful? I have a volume of the collected works I received at Christmas when I was seven years old and the covers are falling off from so much use. I wonder if there is an Esperanto edition available?

geo63:With such analitical powers you should be matematician, no doubt. Who says that the list is complete or sorted in any order - these are just some possibilities.

Sorry to upset you again, geo63. The order of your list does kind of stick out though, well until the last word.

geo63:So stop finding holes in everything, man.

I wasn't trying to wind you up, geo63 (you don't seem to need any encouragement). Just pointing something out so that people don't get the wrong idea about the list.

geo63:
(or "daj se w żyłę" )

I'll leave that to you, thank you. Although, I must say that you really do have a very pleasant manner of communication, Geo63. Well done.

Chainy:I'll leave that to you, thank you. Although, I must say that you really do have a very pleasant manner of communication, Geo63. Well done.

I always tell straight into face what I do not like. Your way of finding faults in everything is also very nice. Thank you.

Good job guys. You have successfully turned a simple and reasonable question into an unpleasant conversation filled with personal attacks. This behavior alienates the beginners that Lernu! is designed for. I understand that each of us may have a different understanding of some of the nuance of Esperanto, but this forum is meant to be a safe and friendly place for discussion.

Mi esperas ke vi eblos trovi amikemon kaj fratemon. Dankon.