What does 치맥 (chimaek) mean?
- 치맥chimaek
Chicken and beer
Fine in most situations
치맥 (chimaek) means fried chicken and beer, eaten together. It is one of Korea's favorite ways to relax with friends, especially in the evening, during sports games or at a riverside picnic.
Where it comes from
It is short for 치킨 (chikin, "fried chicken") + 맥주 (maekju, "beer").
How to use 치맥
People say 치맥 하자 ("Let's do chicken and beer") or 치맥 먹자 ("Let's have chicken and beer") when making casual plans. It suggests a relaxed, fun night rather than a fancy meal.
The word itself is fine with anyone. Just match the sentence ending to the person you are talking to.
Korean fried chicken is often ordered for delivery, and eating 치맥 at a park by the Han River in Seoul is a well-known summer activity.
Examples
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Texting a friend after work
Friends deciding what to do after a game
Telling a coworker about your weekend
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 치맥하다 | To have chicken and beer | Verb form. Also written 치맥 하다. |
| 치킨 | Fried chicken | The first half. |
| 맥주 | Beer | The second half. |
| 피맥 | Pizza and beer | Similar word from 피자 + 맥주. |
Questions learners ask
What does chimaek stand for?
It is 치킨 (fried chicken) plus 맥주 (beer), shortened to the first syllable of each.
Is chimaek slang?
It is an informal shortened word, but it is so common that everyone uses it, even on menus and in ads.
What is pimaek?
피맥 is pizza and beer, made the same way from 피자 and 맥주.