🇰🇷 Korean phrases

How to Say "Friend" in Korean

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
친구
"Friend" in Korean · say it like chin-goo

The most natural way to say "Friend" in Korean is 친구. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

친구들
used when referring to friends in plural
친구야
a casual way to address a friend

When to use it

You can use '친구' when talking about a friend in any context. It is suitable for both casual and formal conversations. When addressing a friend directly, you might use '친구야' for a more personal touch.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Friend" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Korean

KoreanEnglish
나는 내 친구와 영화를 봤어.I watched a movie with my friend.
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse '친구' with '친척', which means relative.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 친구, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Korean with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '친구' and '베프'?

'베프' is a slang term for best friend, while '친구' is a general term for friend.

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