Dictionary — Entry No. 0060
친구
chingu · noun
친구
chingu
[CHIN-goo]
Noun
Beginner
Meaning
친구 (chingu) means “friend” in Korean. Unlike English, where “friend” can apply to anyone you’re close to, Korean uses 친구 specifically for same-age peers — calling someone your 친구 implies you were born in the same year. This age-based nuance is central to Korean social culture, where relationships are shaped by a strict hierarchy of seniority.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
In K-Dramas, you’ll often hear characters establish whether they can call each other 친구 by asking their birth year — a pivotal social moment that signals equality in the relationship. In idol culture, members who share the same birth year within a group are called “chingu line” by fans (e.g., the famous 97-line of BTS’s Jungkook, GOT7’s Yugyeom, and others). The word also appears constantly in lyrics and variety shows, reflecting the deep value Koreans place on same-age friendship bonds.
Example Sentences
우리 친구 할까요?
Uri chingu halkkayo?
Shall we be friends?
그녀는 내 제일 친한 친구예요.
Geunyeoneun nae jeil chinhan chinguye yo.
She is my closest friend.
친구들이랑 노래방에 갔어요.
Chingudeullang noraebange gasseoyo.
I went to karaoke with my friends.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.