What does "Chum" mean?

Close friend Old-fashioned term for friend, now somewhat dated or ironic.

How do you use "Chum" in a sentence?

Old chums from school. We're not chums, mate.

Chum

Slang Term British ★★☆☆☆ Uncommon Casual

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Meaning: Close friend

好朋友、密友

Amigo íntimo

親友、仲良し

절친, 친한 친구

Old-fashioned term for friend, now somewhat dated or ironic.

一个比较老式的表示朋友的说法，现在有些过时，常带有怀旧或讽刺的意味。

Término anticuado para amigo, ahora algo pasado de moda o usado de forma irónica.

友人を指すやや古風な表現。現在では懐かしさを込めて、または皮肉っぽく使われることが多い。

친구를 뜻하는 옛날 표현으로, 지금은 다소 구식이거나 반어적으로 쓰인다.

Examples

Old chums from school.
学校时代的老朋友们
Viejos amigos del colegio
学校時代の古い友人たち
학교 시절 오랜 친구들.
We're not chums, mate.
我们可不是什么好朋友
No somos amigos, tío
俺たち友達じゃないだろ
우리 친구 사이 아니잖아.

Pronunciation

/tʃʌm/

Usage Guide

Context: nostalgic, ironic

Tone: dated

✓ Do Say

Nostalgically
带有怀旧感地使用
con nostalgia
ノスタルジックに使う
향수를 담아서

✗ Don't Say

Seriously—dated
正经使用的话会显得过时
Usarlo en serio suena anticuado
真面目に使うと古臭い
진지하게 쓰기엔 구식

Common Mistakes

Sounds old-fashioned

Origin & History

Possibly from 'chamber fellow' (roommate), 17th century Oxford slang.

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century

Generation: Older

Social background: Middle/upper

Pop culture: Period dramas

Regional notes: British, dated.

Variations

ChumOld chum