Korean Dictionary
How to say "Friendship" in Korean
“Friendship” in Korean is 우정 (pronounced "Ujeong").
우정
Ujeong
Usage & Context
The bond of friendship. 우정은 영원해요 (friendship is eternal) expresses the Korean value placed on loyal, lasting friendships. 의리 (uiri, loyalty/brotherhood) is a deeply respected concept in Korean culture — being a loyal friend through thick and thin is seen as a core virtue.
Example Sentence
오랜 우정은 어떤 것과도 바꿀 수 없어요.
A long friendship cannot be exchanged for anything.
How to use 우정 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Friendship” is 우정, romanized as Ujeong.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 우정.
Pronunciation Guide
우 (u) sounds like the 'oo' in 'moon'. 정 (jeong) sounds like 'jung' in 'jungle' but with a softer 'j' and the 'eo' vowel like 'uh' in 'but', followed by a soft 'ng' sound. The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Two close friends making a promise to each other.
우리 우정 변치 말자!
Let our friendship never change!
Describing a very strong and dramatic friendship between people.
그들의 우정은 영화 같았어요.
Their friendship was like a movie.
Expressing gratitude to a friend for their support.
우정 덕분에 힘든 시간을 이겨낼 수 있었어.
Thanks to our friendship, I was able to overcome a difficult time.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '우정' often implies a deep, loyal bond, heavily influenced by the concept of '의리' (uiri), meaning loyalty or brotherhood. This is frequently depicted in K-dramas, especially among male characters, where friends go to great lengths for each other. Unlike some Western cultures where friendships can be more fluid, Korean '우정' often suggests a commitment to stand by each other through thick and thin, valuing longevity and trust.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 우정 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
우정 변치 말자.
Let our friendship never change.
깊은 우정
Deep friendship
오랜 우정
Long-standing friendship
Related Expressions
친구
chingu
friend
의리
uiri
loyalty, brotherhood
동료
dongnyo
colleague, peer (can imply a professional friendship)
애정
aejeong
affection, love (broader than friendship)
More Relationships Words
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