베프
The English phrase 'best friends' in Korean is 베프.
베프 is used to refer to best friends.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 베프 is a contraction of the English loanwords 'best' (베스트) and 'friend' (프렌드).
Which one should you use?
While 베프 is slang derived from English, 절친 (short for 절친한 친구) is a more standard colloquial way to say 'close friend' or 'best friend'. Additionally, the phrase 친한 친구 implies a close friendship and can be used interchangeably with best friend in informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
베프 is a slang term used primarily in casual conversation and texting among younger generations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'is a best friend' in a polite, standard way, you add the polite ending to the slang term to get 베프예요.
Did you know?
- Because of the strict social hierarchy based on age, a 'best friend' who is older is often called 언니 (older sister for females) or 오빠 (older brother for males) instead of the word for friend.
- Among extremely close friends, Koreans often use 'banmal' or informal speech, but switching to formal speech suddenly can be a sign of anger or a desire to create distance.
- While 베프 is common among youth, older Koreans might use the term 단짝, which literally means 'a matching pair'. This evokes the image of two things that naturally fit together perfectly.
Examples in context
- 우리는 절친인데, 서로를 이해해 줘요.We are best friends who understand each other.
- 나와 그는 친한 친구야.He and I are best friends.
- 우리는 진짜 베프야.urineun jinjja bepeuya.We are truly best friends.
- 그녀는 나의 베프야.geunyeoneun naui bepeuya.She is my best friend.
Example conversation
Minji introduces her friend to Dohyun.
- 민지 Min-ji도현, 이쪽은 내 베프야.Dohyun, ijjogeun nae bepeuya.Dohyun, this is my best friend.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다.annyeonghaseyo! cheoeum boepgetseumnida.Hello! Nice to meet you.
- 민지 Min-ji우리 셋이 정말 친해졌으면 좋겠어.uri seti jeongmal chinhaejyeosseumyeon jokesseo.I hope the three of us become really close.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 좋아요. 반가워요!jeodo joayo. bangawoyo!I'd like that too. Glad to meet you!
