girlfriend in korean
How to Say "Girlfriend" in Korean (여자친구 / 자기): What Koreans Actually Say
여자친구
yeojachingu
Quick answer
The literal word for girlfriend in Korean is 여자친구 (yeojachingu), but couples commonly use 자기 (jagi, babe) when speaking directly to each other.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard / neutral | 여자친구 | yeojachingu | The standard term — used when talking about her to others. |
| cute shorthand | 여친 | yeochin | Slang abbreviation for 여자친구 — very common in casual speech and texts. |
| couple pet name (gender-neutral) | 자기 / 자기야 | jagi / jagiya | Babe / honey — used by both partners toward each other, regardless of who calls who. |
| formal address (she's younger) | 이름 + 아 / 야 | name + a / ya | If you're older, calling her by name with the casual vocative ending is natural. |
How it changes by relationship
제 여자친구 되게 귀여워요.
Je yeojachingu doege gwiyeowoyo.
talking about her to others: My girlfriend is really cute.
우리 여친이 오늘 예뻤어.
Uri yeochini oneul yeppeosseo.
talking about her in slang: My girlfriend looked pretty today — 여친 is the casual shorthand.
자기야, 밥 먹었어?
Jagiya, bap meogeosseo?
calling her directly (couple): Did you eat, babe? — the classic K-drama check-in.
지수야, 여기 봐.
Jisoo-ya, yeogi bwa.
older male calling younger girlfriend by name: Adding 야 (ya) after a name ending in a vowel is the casual vocative.
Examples
여자친구 생겼어요!
Yeojachingu saenggyeosseoyo!
I got a girlfriend!
자기야, 오늘 어땠어?
Jagiya, oneul eottaesseo?
Babe, how was your day?
우리 여친 진짜 좋아.
Uri yeochin jinjja joa.
I really like my girlfriend.
Usage note
Korean men typically don't address their girlfriend using the word 여자친구 directly — that's for talking about her to others. In direct speech, they use her name, a nickname, or 자기야. Calling your girlfriend '여자친구야' to her face sounds detached, like referring to her in the third person.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "girlfriend" here?
FAQ
What does 자기 mean?
자기 (jagi) is a gender-neutral couple term for 'babe' or 'honey' — either partner can use it. Adding 야 (ya) makes it 자기야, which is the typical spoken form.
What's the difference between 여자친구 and 여친?
Same meaning — 여친 is just the casual shortened version, common in everyday speech and texting.
Is it weird to call your girlfriend 언니 or 누나?
Only if she's older. A younger man calling his older girlfriend 누나 (noona) is completely natural — and has its own romantic context in K-dramas.