盟友 méngyǒu ally
How to remember 盟友: 盟 alliance + 友 friend = ally.
Characters
How it is used
- A formal ally, especially between countries or political camps - 两国是长期盟友 (liǎng guó shì chángqī méngyǒu) the two countries are long-standing allies.
- Stronger and more institutional than 伙伴 (huǒbàn, partner): a 盟友 is bound by a 联盟/同盟 (alliance), not just cooperating.