1. 朋友 (péngyou): This is the most common and general way to say "friends." It refers to people you know well and have a close relationship with.
2. 友人 (yǒurén): This is a more formal and literary way to say "friends." It's often used in writing or when addressing someone you respect.
3. 伙伴 (huǒbàn): This word means "partner" or "comrade" and can also be used to refer to friends, especially those you share a common interest or goal with.
4. 同伴 (tóngbàn): This word means "companion" and can also be used to refer to friends, especially those you spend a lot of time with.
5. 知己 (zhījǐ): This word means "soulmate" or "best friend" and refers to someone you have a very deep and understanding relationship with.
6. 好友 (hǎoyǒu): This word literally means "good friend" and is often used to refer to close friends.
The best way to choose the right word depends on the context and the relationship you're describing.