Relationship Expressions
Let's learn expressions that describe relationships between people, centered on '친하다 (chinhada)', '어색하다 (eosaekada)', and '믿다 (mitda)'.
Close / Awkward — '친하다 (chinhada)' / '어색하다 (eosaekada)'
'친하다 (chinhada)' means a close, comfortable relationship, while '어색하다 (eosaekada)' means an awkward, unfamiliar one.
우리는 어릴 때부터 친한 친구예요.
urineun eoril ttaebuteo chinhan chinguyeyo.
We have been close friends since childhood.
처음 만난 사이라서 아직 좀 어색해요.
cheoeum mannan sairaseo ajik jom eosaekaeyo.
We just met, so it is still a little awkward.
To Trust — '믿다 (mitda)'
'믿다 (mitda)' is the verb meaning to trust someone. It's a key expression and the foundation of any good relationship.
저는 제 친구를 정말 믿어요.
jeoneun je chingureul jeongmal mideoyo.
I really trust my friend.
Deepening Relationships
'친해지다 (chinhaejida, to become close)' and '가까워지다 (gakkawojida, to grow closer)' describe a relationship developing over time.
같이 일하면서 우리는 점점 가까워졌어요.
gachi ilhamyeonseo urineun jeomjeom gakkawojyeosseoyo.
We gradually grew closer while working together.
When Relationships Drift Apart
'멀어지다 (meoreojida, to drift apart)' and '서먹하다 (seomeokada, to feel distant)' are used when a relationship isn't what it used to be.
바빠서 연락이 뜸해지니 좀 멀어졌어요.
bappaseo yeollagi tteumhaejini jom meoreojyeosseoyo.
We drifted apart a bit as contact grew rare due to being busy.
오랜만에 만나니 조금 서먹했어요.
oraenmane mannani jogeum seomeokaesseoyo.
Meeting after a long time felt a little distant.
그 친구와는 무슨 이야기든 편하게 해요.
geu chinguwaneun museun iyagideun pyeonhage haeyo.
I can talk comfortably about anything with that friend.
| Word | Meaning | Part of speech |
|---|---|---|
| 친하다 chinhada | to be close | 형용사 adjective |
| 어색하다 eosaekada | to be awkward | 형용사 adjective |
| 믿다 mitda | to trust | 동사 verb |
| 친해지다 chinhaejida | to become close | 동사 verb |
| 멀어지다 meoreojida | to drift apart | 동사 verb |
💡 Tip: '친하다 (chinhada)' is a state, while '친해지다 (chinhaejida)' is a change. '우리 친해지자! (uri chinhaejija!, Let's become close!)' is a friendly thing to say to a new friend.