내 여자친구
nae yeojachingu
In Korean, the phrase "my girlfriend" is translated as 내 여자친구 (nae yeojachingu).
The term 여자친구 is the most common and general way to say "girlfriend" in Korean. While the full phrase 내 여자친구 literally means "my girlfriend," it is very common in natural Korean sentences to omit the possessive "my" and simply use 여자친구.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 내 여자친구 is composed of 내 (my) and 여자친구 (girlfriend).
Which one should you use?
While 내 여자친구 means 'my girlfriend', in many natural Korean sentences, the possessive 'my' is often omitted and people simply say 여자친구.
How does it change in a sentence?
Using 제 (je) instead of 내 (nae) makes the phrase more polite when speaking to strangers or elders.
How do you pronounce it?
nae yeojachingu
Did you know?
- The syllable 내 in 내 여자친구 was once used as the general word for 'smoke' before it was replaced by the Sino-Korean term 연기.
- While 내 여자친구 is the standard translation, some couples use the more intimate and cute term 여친, which is a shortened version of 여자친구.
- In traditional Korean society, referring to a partner using possessive terms like 내 was less common than using familial or social titles to describe the relationship.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 제 여자친구입니다.She is my girlfriend.
- 나의 여자친구, 넌 최고야!My girlfriend, you are the best!
- 내 여자친구는 정말 친절해요.nae yeojachinguneun jeongmal chinjeolhaeyo.My girlfriend is very kind.
- 내 여자친구를 소개할게요.nae yeojachingureul sogaehalgeyo.I will introduce my girlfriend.
- 이 사진 속에는 내 여자친구가 있어요.i sajin sogeneun nae yeojachinguga isseoyo.My girlfriend is in this photo.
Example conversation
Jihoon is showing a photo to Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 사람이 누구예요?i sarami nuguyeyo?Who is this person?
- 지훈 Ji-hun내 여자친구예요.nae yeojachinguyeyo.This is my girlfriend.
- 서연 Seo-yeon와, 정말 예쁘시네요!wa, jeongmal yeppeusineyo!Wow, she is really beautiful!
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사합니다.gamsahamnida.Thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
