여자친구 있어
yeojachingu isseo
In Korean, the phrase to say "I have a girlfriend" is 여자친구 있어 (yeojachingu isseo).
This phrase is used to state that you are currently in a romantic relationship with a woman. If you want to specifically announce that you have recently started a new relationship, use the expression 여자친구 생겼어 (meaning "I got a girlfriend") instead of 여자친구 있어.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for girlfriend, 여자친구, is a combination of yeoja (woman) and chingu (friend).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase can be adjusted depending on who you are speaking to. To be polite to people you are not close with or who are older than you, use the form 여자친구 있어요 by adding the suffix yo to the end. For strictly formal situations, such as a standard formal expression, you can use 저는 여자친구가 있습니다. You may also use the formal expression 여자친구가 있는 사람입니다, which literally translates to "I am a person who has a girlfriend."
How do you pronounce it?
yeojachingu isseo
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word 썸 (sseom), derived from the English 'something', to describe the ambiguous stage of flirting before you can officially say 여자친구 있어.
- In Korea, couples often celebrate '100-day anniversaries' rather than just yearly ones. This makes the transition from 여자친구 생겼어 to a long-term relationship a series of small milestones.
- The term 여자친구 is a calque, meaning it was created by translating the English word 'girlfriend' literally into Korean.
Examples in context
- 여자친구가 있어요. 몇 년째 사귀고 있어요.I have a girlfriend. We've been dating for several years.
- 저는 여자친구가 있는데, 서로를 너무 사랑해요.I have a girlfriend, and we love each other very much.
- 나 여자친구 있어.na yeojachingu isseo.I have a girlfriend.
- 진짜? 나 여자친구 있어.jinjja? na yeojachingu isseo.Really? I have a girlfriend.
- 사실 나 여자친구 있어.sasil na yeojachingu isseo.Actually, I have a girlfriend.
Example conversation
Minji asks Jihun if he is single.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈, 남자친구 없어?Jihun, namjachingu eopseo?Jihun, don't you have a partner?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 나 여자친구 있어.eung, na yeojachingu isseo.Yes, I have a girlfriend.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 축하해!jeongmal? chukahae!Really? Congratulations!
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워, 민지야.gomawo, Minji-ya.Thanks, Minji.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여자친구, CC BY-SA 4.0.
