What it means
친구 means friend. In Korean, it typically refers to someone of the same age. Older and younger friends have different terms.
Nuance & when to use
In Korean society, 친구 precisely means someone born in the same year. Close relations with someone older would use 언니, 오빠, 형, or 누나 instead. Modern casual speech uses 친구 more loosely.
⚠ Common mistake
Calling an older Korean person 친구 can be awkward or rude. Use the appropriate honorific term for age-different friends.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
In Korean society, 친구 precisely means someone born in the same year. Close relations with someone older would use 언니, 오빠, 형, or 누나 instead. Modern casual speech uses 친구 more loosely.
What's a common mistake?
Calling an older Korean person 친구 can be awkward or rude. Use the appropriate honorific term for age-different friends.
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