친구 vs 벗
Korean word comparison
Listen to 친구
Listen to 벗
| 친구 | 벗 |
|---|---|
CHIN-goo noun | beot noun |
| friend; a person with whom one has a close, personal relationship | a friend or companion, often used in literary, classical, or poetic contexts |
How they differ
벗 is literary and somewhat archaic, evoking an old-fashioned or idealized companionship; 친구 is the everyday modern term and does not carry the same poetic or historical flavor.
When to use each
When to use 친구: Use 친구 for everyday conversation and most modern writing as the default word for 'friend.'
When to use 벗: Use 벗 in literary, poetic, or formal contexts when you want a classical or reflective tone.
Side-by-side examples
- 그는 나의 좋은 친구다.
(He is my good friend.) - 그는 나의 오랜 벗이다.
(He is my long-time friend/companion.)
Register & nuance: Formal/literary and somewhat archaic; uncommon in casual speech.