베스트 프렌드
beseuteu peurendeu[pe̞sʰɯtʰɯ pʰɯɾe̞ndɯ]
In Korean, best friend can be translated as 베스트 프렌드 (beseuteu peurendeu). Wiktionary also lists 절친 (jeolchin).
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 베스트 프렌드 | beseuteu peurendeu | [pe̞sʰɯtʰɯ pʰɯɾe̞ndɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 절친 | jeolchin | [t͡ɕʌ̹ʎt͡ɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to an especially close and trusted friend.
Which one should you use?
베스트 프렌드 is a direct phonetic transliteration of the English phrase and is used frequently in modern Korean, particularly in social media or pop culture. In contrast, 절친 is a common, slightly more casual or trendy way to refer to a best friend compared to the full phrase 절친한 친구. Additionally, the slang term 베프 is a very common abbreviation used by younger generations, derived from the first syllables of 베스트 프렌드.
How do you pronounce it?
beseuteu peurendeu
Did you know?
- The word 절친 uses the Hanja character 切, which in this context means 'intimate' or 'close', rather than its more common meaning of 'cutting'.
- The concept of a 'best friend' is often expressed through the term 찐친, where 찐 is a slang prefix meaning 'real' or 'authentic'.
- While 'best friend' is a common concept, many Koreans use the term 단짝 to describe a friend who is an inseparable 'soulmate' or 'partner in crime'.
Examples in context
- 나의 절친이에요.He/She is my best friend.
- 우리 베프야!You're my best friend!
- 그는 나의 베스트 프렌드예요.geuneun naui besteu peurendeuyeyo.He is my best friend.
- 우리는 서로의 베스트 프렌드예요.urineun seoroui besteu peurendeuyeyo.We are each other's best friends.
- 진정한 베스트 프렌드를 만나고 싶어요.jinjeonghan besteu peurendeureul mannago sipeoyo.I want to meet a true best friend.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are looking at a photo together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo사진 속에 있는 사람은 누구예요?sajin soge inneun sarameun nuguyeyo?Who is the person in the photo?
- 서연 Seo-yeon제 베스트 프렌드 지수예요.je beseuteu purendeu jisu-yeyo.This is my best friend, Jisu.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo두 분 정말 친해 보이네요.du bun jeongmal chinhae boineyo.You two look really close.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 정말 믿음직한 친구예요.ne, jeongmal mideumjikhan chinguyeyo.Yes, she is a very trustworthy friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “best friend” translations and entries 베스트 프렌드, 절친, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
