전 여자친구
jeon yeojachingu
The English phrase 'ex-girlfriend' is translated into Korean as 전 여자친구 (jeon yeojachingu).
전 여자친구 is used to refer to a woman with whom someone was previously in a romantic relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix 전, which means 'former' or 'ex-' to indicate a previous status and 여자친구.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
전 여자친구 is used in informal contexts. In casual conversation or texting, 여자친구 is often shortened to 여친, resulting in the abbreviation 전 여친 (ex-gf).
How do you pronounce it?
jeon yeojachingu
Did you know?
- The phrase 여자친구 is actually a translation of the English concept 'girlfriend', constructed by combining the characters for 'female' and 'friend'.
- While 전 여자친구 is the standard term, many Koreans use the slang 구여친 (gu-yeochin) to refer to an ex-girlfriend.
- The abbreviation 여친 is so common that it is frequently used as a modifier for other words, such as 여친룩 to describe 'girlfriend-style' fashion.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 나의 전 여자친구예요.She is my ex-girlfriend.
- 그는 전 여자친구를 못 잊어요.geuneun jeon yeojachingu-reul mot ijeoyo.He cannot forget his ex-girlfriend.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about Minjun's past.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 제 전 여자친구 이야기 들어볼래요?Jieun ssi, je jeon yeoja-chingu iyagi deureobollaeyo?Jieun, do you want to hear a story about my ex-girlfriend?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 궁금해요. 어떤 분이었어요?ne, gunggeumhaeyo. eotteon bun-ieosseoyo?Yes, I'm curious. What was she like?
- 민준 Min-jun정말 똑똑하고 친절한 사람이었어요.jeongmal ttokttokhago chinjeolhan saram-ieosseoyo.She was a really smart and kind person.
- 지은 Ji-eun그렇군요. 왜 헤어졌어요?geureokunyo. wae heeojyeosseoyo?I see. Why did you break up?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여자친구, 전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
