공격
gonggyeok[ˈko̞(ː)ŋɡjʌ̹k̚]
The English word 'attack' is translated into Korean as 공격 (gonggyeok).
As a noun, 공격 refers to an attempt to cause damage, injury or death. This can describe physical military or combat-style attacks, but it is also used for abstract verbal or psychological attacks, such as a 'personal attack' (개인적인 공격).
Meaning: attempt to cause damage, injury, or death (noun)
Which one should you use?
While both 공격하다 and 돌격하다 can mean 'to attack', they are used in different contexts. 공격하다 is the general term for an attack, whereas 돌격하다 specifically implies a sudden, forceful charge or dash forward toward a target.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
You can transform the noun 공격 into other parts of speech. To use 'attack' as a verb, add the auxiliary verb –하다 to the noun to get 공격하다. To turn the noun into the adjective 'aggressive', add the suffix –적 to get 공격적.
How do you pronounce it?
gonggyeok
Did you know?
- In sports broadcasting, a 'counter-attack' is expressed as 역습, which uses a different root than 공격 to emphasize the reversal of momentum.
- In Korean gaming culture, 공격 is often shortened to 공 when discussing character stats, such as 'Attack Power' (공격력).
- The adjective form 공격적 is often used in business or sports to describe a 'proactive' or 'aggressive' strategy. It is not always seen as a negative or violent trait in these professional settings.
Examples in context
- 공격!Attack!This example shows how to use 공격 as a command.Tatoeba #8355901 by Eunhee, translation #1972610 by CK
- 주지사는 그 거래 관련 보도들을 마음에 들어 하지 않았고, 개인적인 공격으로 받아들였어.The Governor did not like the news reports relating to the transaction and viewed them as a personal attack.This sentence illustrates the use of 공격 in the context of a personal, abstract attack.Tatoeba #13755125 by qlTmalffk, translation #1267633 by al_ex_an_der
- 크리스토퍼 콜럼버스의 배만큼 두껍고 세 배나 넓은 크기를 가진 신화 속 괴물인 크라켄은 그의 함선을 공격했고, 결국 콜럼버스는 그 괴물을 먹을 수 밖에 없었어.The mythical Kraken, thick as a ship and three times as wide, once made an attack on Christopher Columbus's fleet… giving Columbus no choice but to eat him.This sentence demonstrates the use of 공격 in the context of a physical attack on a fleet.Tatoeba #4739069 by kumdonghee, translation #545608 by FeuDRenais
- 국가는 적에게 강력한 공격을 가해야 합니다.The country must launch a strong attack against the enemy.
- 게임에서 적을 공격하면 이기는 거야!If you attack the enemy in the game, you win!
- 오늘 훈련 때 친구가 나를 공격했어.My friend attacked me during today's training.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about a cyberattack.
- 지은 Ji-eun그 회사가 사이버 공격을 받았대.geu hoesaga saibeo gonggyeogeul badatdae.I heard that company suffered a cyber attack.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말? 피해가 얼마나 크대?jeongmal? pihaega eolmana keudae?Really? How big is the damage?
- 지은 Ji-eun데이터가 다 유출됐을 수도 있대.deiteoga da yuchuldwesseul sudo itdae.They say all the data might have been leaked.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo공격 방식이 아주 치밀했나 보네.gonggyeok bangsigi aju chimilhaetna bone.The method of attack must have been very sophisticated.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attack” translations and entries 공격, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
