🇰🇷 Korean phrases

How to say “Friend” in Korean

친구

chingu

neutral

In Korean, 친구 strictly means someone of the same age (born in the same year); older or younger friends are usually called 언니/누나, 오빠/형 or 동생 instead. 절친 is slang for "best friend".

Other ways to say it

KoreanPronunciationMeaningWhen to use it
절친jeolchinbest friendCasual, short for 절친한 친구
동갑donggapsame ageWhen you discover you're the same age, which makes you 친구

In a sentence

우리는 동갑이니까 친구 하자!

Urineun donggabinikka chingu haja!

We're the same age, so let's be friends!

More Korean phrases

“Friend” in other languages