넌 내 친구야
neon nae chinguya
The English phrase 'you're my friend' is expressed in Korean as 넌 내 친구야 (neon nae chinguya).
This phrase is used to state that you have a friendly relationship with someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 넌 내 친구야 breaks down into 넌 (you) + 내 (my) + 친구 (friend) + 야 (am/is/are).
How does it change in a sentence?
The sentence ends with 야, which is the informal/casual version of the copula (to be) used with nouns ending in a vowel.
How do you pronounce it?
neon nae chinguya
Did you know?
- In Korea, calling someone a 친구 (friend) often implies that you are exactly the same age. Using this term for someone older or younger can be surprising to native speakers.
- The word 친구 is derived from Hanja (Chinese characters), where the first character means 'equal' and the second means 'person'.
- The phrase 넌 내 친구야 uses an informal style called 'banmal'. Using this with a stranger or someone of higher social status can be seen as rude or a challenge.
Examples in context
- 넌 내 친구야.neon nae chin-gu-ya.You're my friend.
- 잊지 마, 넌 내 친구야.it-ji ma, neon nae chin-gu-ya.Don't forget, you're my friend.
- 걱정하지 마, 넌 내 친구야.geok-jeong-ha-ji ma, neon nae chin-gu-ya.Don't worry, you're my friend.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is comforting Min-jun after he makes a mistake.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 자책하지 마, 민준아.neo-mu ja-chaek-ha-ji ma, Min-jun-ah.Don't blame yourself too much, Min-jun.
- 민준 Min-jun내가 실수해서 미안해.nae-ga sil-su-hae-seo mi-an-hae.I'm sorry I made a mistake.
- 지은 Ji-eun괜찮아, 넌 내 친구야.gwaen-chan-ah, neon nae chin-gu-ya.It's okay, you're my friend.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워, 지은아.go-ma-wo, Ji-eun-ah.Thank you, Ji-eun.
