여자친구
yeojachin'gu[jʌ̹d͡ʑa̠t͡ɕʰinɡu]
The English phrase "girlfriend" is translated to Korean as 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) |
여자친구 is the standard, most common way to refer to a girlfriend in both formal and polite contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
여자친구 is a compound of 여자, meaning woman or female and 친구, meaning friend. Literally, it translates to "female friend."
Which one should you use?
While 여자친구 specifically means 'female friend/girlfriend', 애인 is a more gender-neutral term for a romantic partner or lover. Additionally, 걸프렌드 is considered dated.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual conversation and texting, you can use the abbreviated colloquial form 여친. The form 걸프렌드 is dated.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'ex-girlfriend', you add the prefix 전 (former) before 여자친구.
How do you pronounce it?
yeojachin'gu
Did you know?
- While 애인 means 'lover' or 'partner', in some contexts, it can actually mean 'mistress' or 'the other woman' if used in a scandalous way. This is due to different nuances in how the word is perceived in certain social circles.
- The term 여자친구 is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English phrase 'girlfriend' word for word into Korean.
- While 애인 means 'lover' in South Korea, in the Yanbian region it can be a semantic loan from Chinese where 爱人 often refers to a spouse.
Examples in context
- 크리스마스에 여친에게 뭘 사줬니?What have you bought your girlfriend for Christmas?This sentence is useful for asking what someone bought for their 여친.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 is useful for expressing an expectation regarding someone's 여자친구.Tatoeba #13755017 by qlTmalffk, translation #10685415 by CK
- 사미는 전 여자친구에게 한 번도 전화하지 않았다.Sami never called his ex-girlfriend.This sentence is useful for describing a situation involving an ex-여자친구.Tatoeba #13755275 by qlTmalffk, translation #7286878 by OsoHombre
- 도서관에서 여자 친구와 함께 공부합니다.I study with my girlfriend at the library.
- 난 내 여친이랑 영화를 보러 갈 거야.I'm going to watch a movie with my girlfriend.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about Jihoon's weekend plans.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이번 주말에 여자친구랑 영화 보러 가요.ibeon jumare yeojachingurang yeonghwa boreo gayo.I am going to see a movie with my girlfriend this weekend.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 어떤 영화를 보실 거예요?jeongmalyo? eotteon yeonghwareul bosil geoyeyo?Really? What movie are you going to watch?
- 지훈 Ji-hun여자친구가 로맨틱 코미디를 좋아해요.yeojachinguga romaentik komidireul joahaeyo.My girlfriend likes romantic comedies.
- 수빈 Su-bin재밌게 보세요, 지훈 씨.jaemikke boseyo, Jihoon ssi.Have a great time watching it, Jihoon.
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.
