여자친구
yeojachin'gu[jʌ̹d͡ʑa̠t͡ɕʰinɡu]
The Korean word for girlfriend is 여자친구 (yeojachin'gu). Wiktionary also lists 여친 (yeochin) and 걸프렌드 (geolpeurendeu).
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 여자친구 | yeojachin'gu | [jʌ̹d͡ʑa̠t͡ɕʰinɡu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 여친 | yeochin | [jʌ̹t͡ɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | colloquial |
| 걸프렌드 | geolpeurendeu | [kʌ̹ɭpʰɯɾe̞ndɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | dated |
| 애인 | aein | [ˈɛ(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈe̞(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term is used to refer to a female partner in a romantic relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
여자친구 is a compound of 여자, meaning woman and 친구, meaning friend.
Which one should you use?
여자친구 specifically refers to a female romantic partner. In contrast, 애인 is a more gender-neutral term used for a lover or romantic partner. 걸프렌드 is a loanword from English but is considered dated.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
여자친구 is the standard term. 여친 is a colloquial, shortened version used frequently in casual conversation and texting. The counterpart to this abbreviation is 남친, which is short for boyfriend.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'ex-girlfriend', you add the prefix 전 (meaning former) before 여자친구, resulting in 전 여자친구.
How do you pronounce it?
yeojachin'gu
Did you know?
- In Korea, couples often celebrate '100-day anniversaries' with their 여자친구 or 남친, rather than just yearly milestones.
- Many couples in Korea buy matching 'couple items' for their 여자친구, such as identical t-shirts or phone cases, to publicize their relationship.
- The word 여자친구 is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English 'girlfriend' literally into Korean.
Examples in context
- 크리스마스에 여친에게 뭘 사줬니?What have you bought your girlfriend for Christmas?This sentence shows how to use the abbreviation 여친 to ask about a gift.Tatoeba #11105529 by intertime, translation #2102192 by Hybrid
- 난 톰이 여자친구를 파티에 데려올 줄 알았어.I expected Tom to bring his girlfriend to the party.This sentence uses 여자친구 to describe someone bringing a partner to a party.Tatoeba #13755017 by qlTmalffk, translation #10685415 by CK
- 사미는 전 여자친구에게 한 번도 전화하지 않았다.Sami never called his ex-girlfriend.This sentence demonstrates how to use the prefix 전 with 여자친구 to mean ex-girlfriend.Tatoeba #13755275 by qlTmalffk, translation #7286878 by OsoHombre
- 여자친구와 함께 영화를 보았어요.I watched a movie with my girlfriend.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨는 여자친구 있어요?Jihun ssineun yeojachingu isseoyo?Jihoon, do you have a girlfriend?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 지금은 없어요.Aniyo, jigeumeun eopseoyo.No, I don't have one right now.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 이번 주말에 혼자 있겠네요.Geureom ibon jumare honja itgenneyo.Then you will be alone this weekend.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 그냥 집에서 쉴 거예요.Ne, geunyang jibeoseo swil geoyeyo.Yes, I'm just going to rest at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries 여자친구, 여친, 걸프렌드, 애인, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 걸프렌드, 애인, 여자친구, 여친, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
