내 가장 친한 친구
nae gajang chinhan chingu
The English phrase "my best friend" is translated into Korean as 내 가장 친한 친구 (nae gajang chinhan chingu).
This phrase refers to a person with whom one shares the closest and most trusted friendship.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내 (my), 가장 (most), 친한 (close/intimate) and 친구 (friend).
Which one should you use?
For example, 내 절친 is an informal way of saying "my best friend," and 베프 is an informal term derived from the English "best friend" used among young people.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing the informal 내 (nae) with the polite 제 (je) makes the phrase suitable for use when speaking to someone of higher social status or in formal settings, resulting in 제 가장 친한 친구.
How do you pronounce it?
nae gajang chinhan chingu
Did you know?
- Korean culture has a specific term for a 'best friend' who is like a sibling, often using 죽마고우 (juk-ma-go-u), which literally means 'bamboo horse friend'.
- While 친구 (chingu) means 'friend', in a strict traditional sense, it can only be used for people of the same age or social rank.
- In Korea, the concept of a 'best friend' can be tied to 동갑 (dong-gap), referring to people born in the same calendar year, which creates an immediate social bond.
Examples in context
- 세라 씨는 제 절친입니다.Sera is my best friend.
- 예린 씨는 저의 가장 친한 친구입니다.Yerin is my closest friend.
- 지민은 내 절친이야.Jimin is my best friend.
- 수현은 내 친한 친구야.Suhyeon is my close friend.
- 지원은 내 베프야.Jiwon is my best friend.
- 그는 내 가장 친한 친구예요.geuneun nae gajang chinhan chinguyeyo.He is my best friend.
- 내 가장 친한 친구는 민수예요.nae gajang chinhan chinguneun minsuyeyo.My best friend is Minsu.
Example conversation
Dohyun is showing a photo to Jieun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 사람이 내 가장 친한 친구예요.i sarami nae gajang chinhan chinguye-yo.This person is my best friend.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 친해 보이네요!jeongmal chinhae boine-yo!You look really close!
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 우리는 고등학교 때부터 친구였어요.ne, urineun godeunghakkyo ttaebuteo chinguyosseo-yo.Yes, we've been friends since high school.
- 지은 Ji-eun좋은 친구를 두셨네요.joeun chingureul dusyeon-ne-yo.You have a great friend.
