1. What does it mean?
깐부 describes a partner or ally rather than merely someone standing nearby. Many international viewers encountered the word through Squid Game, where a game partnership gives it a strong emotional weight.
Also written or said as kkanbu
2. The nuance
It is familiar and playful in everyday use, not a standard honorific. Claims about one exact historical origin or universal regional usage are uncertain, so the useful point is the relationship it conveys.
3. Examples
“이번 보드게임에서는 우리 둘이 깐부 하자.”
Let's be partners in this board game.
“어려운 프로젝트를 같이 끝내고 나니 진짜 깐부 된 느낌이야.”
Finishing that tough project together made us feel like real teammates.
Sources
References support the meaning and usage. Example sentences are written for NoCapWiki.