Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 남자친구 | namjachin'gu | [na̠md͡ʑa̠t͡ɕʰinɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 남친 | namchin | [na̠mt͡ɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | colloquial |
| 보이프렌드 | boipeurendeu | [po̞ipʰɯɾe̞ndɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | dated |
| 애인 | aein | [ˈɛ(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈe̞(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
남자친구 is the most common and straightforward way to refer to a male partner in a romantic relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 남자친구 is a compound of 남자, which means man and 친구, which means friend.
Which one should you use?
While 남자친구 is the standard term for a boyfriend, 애인 is a gender-neutral term used for a romantic partner or lover. You may also see 보이프렌드, which is a transliteration of the English word, but it feels dated or overly Westernized. 남친 is a shortened version used specifically for a boyfriend.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
남친 is a colloquial abbreviation used in casual conversation or texting. 보이프렌드 is considered dated.
How do you pronounce it?
namjachin'gu
When do people say it?
In Korea, it is also very common to use the term 오빠 as an affectionate way to address a boyfriend or a close male friend who is older.
Did you know?
- The word 남자친구 is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English word 'boyfriend' literally into Korean.
- While 애인 translates literally to 'lover', using it in a modern Korean context often implies a much deeper, more intense, or even more sexualized relationship than the English word 'boyfriend' might.
- The term 남친 follows a common linguistic pattern in Korean where long nouns are shortened to two syllables for speed, much like how English speakers might use 'telly' for 'television'.
Examples in context
- 아니야, 새 남자친구가 아니야.No, he's not my new boyfriend.This sentence uses 남자친구 to clarify a person is not a new boyfriend.Tatoeba #7965120 by EstasKorea, translation #1427 by LittleBoy
- 나는 너한테 남친이 있는 줄 몰랐어.I didn't know that you had a boyfriend.This sentence uses 남친 to express a lack of knowledge about someone having a boyfriend.Tatoeba #11104839 by intertime, translation #7516164 by CK
- 난 메리의 남자친구를 참을 수가 없어.I can't stand Mary's boyfriend.This sentence uses 남자친구 to express an inability to tolerate a boyfriend.Tatoeba #8362129 by Eunhee, translation #8238716 by CK
- 내 남친은 착해.My boyfriend is kind.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about Subin's personal life.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 남자친구가 있어요?Subin ssineun namjachinguga isseoyo?Subin, do you have a boyfriend?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 남자친구가 있어요.Ne, namjachinguga isseoyo.Yes, I have a boyfriend.
- 민준 Min-jun정말요? 어떤 사람이에요?Jeongmalyo? Eotteon saramieyo?Really? What kind of person is he?
- 수빈 Su-bin제 남자친구는 아주 친절해요.Je namjachinguneun aju chinjeolhaeyo.My boyfriend is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boyfriend” translations and entries 남자친구, 남친, 보이프렌드, 애인, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 남자친구, 남친, 보이프렌드, 애인, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
