공항
gonghang[ko̞ŋɦa̠ŋ]
The Korean word for airport is 공항 (gonghang). Wiktionary also lists 비행장 (bihaengjang) and 항공역 (hanggong'yeok).
Meaning: place designated for airplanes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 공항 | gonghang | [ko̞ŋɦa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 비행장 | bihaengjang | [piɦɛŋd͡ʑa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [piɦe̞ŋd͡ʑa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 항공역 | hanggong'yeok | [ˈha̠(ː)ŋɡo̞ŋjʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
The term is used to describe a place designated for airplanes.
What does it mean word for word?
공항 is composed of 공 (public) and 항 (port/harbor), literally meaning 'public port'. The term 비행장 is composed of 비행 (flight) and 장 (place/field), literally meaning 'flight place'.
Which one should you use?
공항 is the standard term for a modern commercial airport, whereas 비행장 typically refers to a smaller airfield or airstrip.
Is it said differently in some regions?
항공역 is the form used in North Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
gonghang
Did you know?
- While 공항 translates to 'public port' in Korean, it is actually an orthographic borrowing from the Japanese word kūkō.
- The term 항공역 uses the character 역, which traditionally refers to a post station or a train station.
- The character 공 in 공항 is written with the meaning 'air', but it is also the character used for 'empty' or 'void' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- 공항버스 몇 시에 출발해?What time does the airport bus leave?This sentence shows how to ask about the departure time of an airport bus using 공항.Tatoeba #13761868 by qlTmalffk, translation #264290 by CK
- 나는 그를 공항에서 만났다.I met him at the airport.This sentence demonstrates meeting someone at the location using 공항.Tatoeba #13043451 by Uwe, translation #3912121 by CH
- 공항까지 가는 버스가 있나요?Is there bus service to the airport?This sentence is useful for asking about bus service to the airport using 공항.Tatoeba #4948550 by rainbow4us, translation #456071 by lukaszpp
- 저는 공항에 가야 합니다.I have to go to the airport.
- 비행장에서 배웅해 줄래?Can you see me off at the airport?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are discussing their travel plans.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 공항에 언제 도착해요?Jihun ssi, gonghang-e eonje dochak-haeyo?Jihun, when do you arrive at the airport?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 오후 두 시쯤에 도착할 것 같아요.Jeoneun ohu du si-jjeum-e dochak-hal geot gat-ayo.I think I will arrive around two p.m.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 공항 입구에서 만나요.Geureom gonghang ipgu-eseo mannayo.Then let's meet at the airport entrance.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 좋아요. 그때 봐요.Ne, jo-ayo. geuttae bwayo.Yes, sounds good. See you then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “airport” translations and entries 공항, 비행장, 항공역, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공항, 비행장, 항공역, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
