내 친구
nae chingu
The English phrase 'my friend' is translated into Korean as 내 친구 (nae chingu).
This phrase is used to refer to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. You can also use 소중한 친구 to emphasize the value or importance of a friend, or add the word 친한 to describe someone as a close or intimate friend.
What does it mean word for word?
The form 내 친구 is composed of 내, which is a contraction of 나의 (meaning 'my') and 친구, which means 'friend'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
내 친구 is a casual and common way to say 'my friend'. If you are speaking to someone of higher status or in a formal setting, use 제 친구 instead of 내 친구.
How does it change in a sentence?
If 'my friend' is the subject of the sentence, you must add the subject marker 가 to form 내 친구가.
How do you pronounce it?
nae chingu
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, calling someone a 친구 strictly implies they are the same age as you. If two people are very close but have a different age, they would typically use terms like 'older brother' or 'older sister' instead of 'friend'.
- In Korean, the phrase 내 친구 can be used to refer to a close friend, but to describe a 'best friend', Koreans often use the English-derived loanword 베프 (be-peu), which is a contraction of 'best friend'.
- The word 친구 (friend) is a Sino-Korean word derived from Chinese characters. This means that while the word 'my' is native Korean, the word for 'friend' comes from the shared linguistic history of East Asia.
Examples in context
- 내 친구는 슈퍼마켓에서 일해.My friend works at a supermarket.This sentence shows how to use 내 친구 to describe someone's occupation.Tatoeba #3718256 by kumdonghee, translation #3953888 by KoreanBeaver
- 나는 더 이상 톰이 내 친구가 되고 싶어한다고 생각하지 않아.I don't think Tom wants to be my friend anymore.This sentence uses 내 친구 to express a desire regarding a relationship.Tatoeba #8356242 by Eunhee, translation #1970158 by CK
- 그는 내 친구야. 넌 그를 알고 있어?He's my friend. Do you know him?This sentence uses 내 친구 to introduce a person to someone else.Tatoeba #1197838 by Brian255, translation #1196606 by CK
- 제 친구가 많이 도와줬어요.My friend helped me a lot.
- 저에게는 소중한 친구가 한 명 있어요.I have one precious friend.
- 내 친구랑 함께 영화를 볼 거야.I'm going to watch a movie with my friend.
- 이 친한 친구는 항상 나를 도와줘.This close friend always helps me.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon introduces someone to Hyunwoo at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우, 이쪽은 내 친구야.Hyeon-u, i-jjogeun nae chin-gu-ya.Hyunwoo, this is my friend.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo안녕하세요, 만나서 반가워요.An-nyeong-ha-se-yo, man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo.Hello, it's nice to meet you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내 친구랑 같이 공부하고 있어.nae chin-gu-rang gat-i gong-bu-ha-go is-seo.I am studying together with my friend.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 멋진 친구네요.jeong-mal meot-jin chin-gu-ne-yo.That is a really cool friend.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
