비행기
bihaenggi[piɦɛŋɡi]
The Korean word for airplane is 비행기 (bihaenggi). Wiktionary also lists 항공기 (hanggonggi).
Meaning: powered aircraft (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 비행기 | bihaenggi | [piɦɛŋɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [piɦe̞ŋɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 항공기 | hanggonggi | [ˈha̠(ː)ŋɡo̞ŋɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to a powered aircraft, but they are used in different settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 비행기 is composed of 비행 (flight) and 기 (machine/instrument).
Which one should you use?
비행기 is the common word for airplane. In contrast, 항공기 refers to aircraft and is used as a more formal or technical term, often appearing in official, legal or aviation contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
bihaenggi
Did you know?
- In Korean, the word 비행 can mean both 'flight' and 'misconduct' or 'delinquency' depending on the Chinese characters used.
- The common word 비행기 is actually a loanword from Japanese, specifically from the word 飛行機.
- The character 기 in 비행기 means 'machine' or 'instrument' and appears in many other Korean words for devices, such as 세탁기 for washing machine.
Examples in context
- 우리 아버지는 비행기를 몰 줄 안다.My father can fly an airplane.This sentence shows how to use 비행기 when talking about the ability to fly an airplane.Tatoeba #11106635 by intertime, translation #251726 by CK
- 내일 한국으로 가려면 비행기를 타야 돼요.In order to go to Korea tomorrow, (I) have to take the airplane.
- 비행기가 언제 출발해?When does the airplane depart?
- 하늘에 비행기가 떠 있어요.haneure bihaengiga tteo isseoyo.There is an airplane floating in the sky.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at the sky at an airport park.
- 지은 Ji-eun저 비행기 진짜 크다!jeo bihaenggi jinja keuda!That airplane is really big!
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아, 지은아. 정말 멋지다.maja, jieun-a. jeongmal meotjida.You're right, Jieun. It's really cool.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현이 너도 비행기 좋아해?dohyeon-i neo-do bihaenggi joahae?Do you like airplanes too, Dohyun?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 나는 비행기 타는 걸 좋아해.eung, naneun bihaenggi taneun geol joahae.Yes, I like riding airplanes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “airplane” translations and entries 비행기, 항공기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비행기, 항공기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
