Chingu (친구) – How To Say Friend In Korean
You will probably make lots of new friends while learning Korean so you are going to want to learn how to say friend in Korean. Below, you will learn how to say “friend” in Korean plus some other useful expressions you can use when talking about your ‘Chingu‘.
Friend In Korean
“Friend” in Korean is 친구 which is pronounced [chin-gu]. Click on the audio below to hear how to pronounce 친구.
Chingu Meaning
“Chingu” means ‘friend’ in Korean but you should be careful when using this word as it is used a little differently to how it is used in English. In Korea, a person’s age is very important and it would be a little strange (and could even be rude) to call someone who is significantly older than you “chingu”. “Chingu” should only be used with people of a similar age or with close friends.
Related Expressions
Best Friend In Korean
There are a few ways to say “best friend” in Korean. The most common ways are 가장 친한 친구 [ga-jang chin-han chin-gu] and 절친 [jeol-chin]. It’s also possible to use the Konglish expression 베스트 프렌드 [be-seu-teu-peu-ren-deu] which you can see is literally ‘best friend’ in Korean characters.
My Friend In Korean
When you want to refer to your friend when talking to someone else, you probably want to say “My friend” in Korean. “My friend” in Korean is 제 친구 [Je chin-gu]. Here is an example sentence: 민호는 제 친구예요 [min-ho-neun je chin-gu-ye-yo] = Minho is my friend.
My Friends In Korean
If you want to refer to multiple friends you can say “My friends”. “My friends in Korean is 제 친구들 [je chin-gu-deul]. Here is an example sentence: 오늘 제 친구들을 만나요 [o-neul je chin-gu-deu-reul man-na-yo]. = I will meet my friends today.
Close Friend In Korean
I think everybody will agree that the best kind of friends are close friends. “Close friend” in Korean is 친한 친구 [chin-han chin-gu]. Here is an example sentence: 민호는 제 친한 친구예요 [min-ho-neun je chin-han chin-gu-ye-yo] = Minho is my close friend.
Old Friend In Korean
If you have been friends with someone for a long time, you can refer to them as your “old friend”. “Old friend” in Korean is 오랜 친구 [o-raen chin-gu]. Here is an example sentence: 민호는 제 오랜 친구 친구예요 [min-ho-neun je o-raen chin-gu-ye-yo] = Minho is my old friend.
School Friend In Korean
Some of your oldest and closest friends are probably your friends from school. “School friend” in Korean is 학교 친구 [hak-gyo chin-gu]. Here is an example sentence: 민호는 제 학교 친구예요 [min-ho-neun je hak-gyo chin-gu-ye-yo] = Minho is my school friend.
More Lessons
Now that you know how to say “friend” in Korean, why not learn more useful expressions you can use when talking with your Korean friends. Check out our free lessons on common Korean phrases. Or, if you’re new to learning Korean, check out our free online Korean language course.
