절친
jeolchin[t͡ɕʌ̹ʎt͡ɕʰin]
A common Korean word for buddy is 절친 (jeolchin), a casual word for a very close friend.
Use 절친 for someone you are really close to. For a friend in general, of any gender, the word is 친구 and 친한 친구 means close friend or buddy, stressing how close the friendship is.
Meaning: friend or casual acquaintance (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
절친 is a shortened form of a longer phrase that literally means intimate friend.
Which one should you use?
While buddy in English can mean a casual acquaintance, 절친 implies a best friend level of closeness. 동무 is often linked with military or work relationships. Men often call an older close male friend 형, which means older brother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
절친 is a colloquial short form used in casual conversation and texting rather than in formal writing.
How do you pronounce it?
It is written in Latin letters as jeolchin.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not call a casual acquaintance 절친. It means a best friend, so 친구 fits better for someone you know less well.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term 불알친구 for a male 'best buddy' that literally translates to 'testicle friend', referring to friends who have known each other since childhood.
- In certain historical or political contexts, the word 동무 was used to mean 'comrade', which is why it carries a heavy, formal, or even North Korean connotation today.
- In many cases, a 'buddy' in Korea is not defined by a specific title but by whether you use 'banmal', the informal speech style, with them.
Examples in context
- 우리는 아주 오래된 절친이야.Urineun aju oldoen jeolchin-iya.We are very old best friends.
- 민수와 나는 정말 절친이야.Minsuwa naneun jeongmal jeolchin-iya.Minsu and I are really close buddies.
- 그는 나의 가장 소중한 절친이야.Geuneun naui gajang sojunghan jeolchin-iya.He is my most precious best friend.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are talking about a mutual friend.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 이 사람은 누구예요?Seoyeon ssi, i sarameun nuguyeyo?Seoyeon, who is this person?
- 서연 Seo-yeon제 고등학교 절친이에요.je godeunghakgyo jeolchine-yo.This is my buddy from high school.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 친해 보이네요.jeongmal chinha boyineyo.You two look really close.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 정말 좋은 친구예요.ne, jeongmal joeun chinguyeyo.Yes, they are a really great friend.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 절친, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
