그녀는 내 친구야
geunyeoneun nae chinguya
The English phrase "she is my friend" is translated into Korean as 그녀는 내 친구야 (geunyeoneun nae chinguya).
This phrase is used to identify a female person as a friend. Note that while 그녀 means "she", it is primarily used in written text (like novels or lyrics) and can sound unnatural in spoken conversation. In speech, Koreans often use the person's name or omit the subject entirely.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 그녀 (she), 는 (topic marker), 내 (my), 친구 (friend) and 야 (informal copula 'to be').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 그녀는 내 친구야. is a casual way to say "She is my friend." Use 그녀는 제 친구예요 instead of the default form when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting. The phrase 그녀는 제 친구입니다. is a formal way to say "She is my friend."
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending 야 is the informal/casual version of the verb 'to be', used with people of equal or lower social status.
How do you pronounce it?
geunyeoneun nae chinguya
Did you know?
- While 친구 means 'friend', in Korea it is often used specifically to describe someone born in the same calendar year as you.
- To avoid the pronoun 그녀 (she) in speech, Koreans often refer to a female friend as 그 사람 (that person) or by her name and title.
- The word 내 is actually a contracted form of the first-person pronoun 'I' and a grammatical particle, rather than being a standalone word for 'my'.
Example conversation
Minji introduces a girl to Hyunwoo.
- 민지 Min-ji현우야, 이쪽을 봐.hyeonu-ya, ijjogeul bwa.Hyunwoo, look over here.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저 사람은 누구야?jeo sarameun nuguya?Who is that person?
- 민지 Min-ji그녀는 내 친구야.geunyeoneun nae chinguya.She is my friend.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 반가워.jeongmal bangawo.It's very nice to meet her.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
