지구
Jigu[t͡ɕiɡu]
The English word 'earth' is translated into Korean as 지구 (Jigu).
지구 refers specifically to the third planet of the Solar System.
Meaning: third planet of the Solar System (name)
Which one should you use?
Use 지구 when referring to the planet Earth. If you mean soil, dirt or general rock-based material, use 흙. In an electrical context, the concept of 'earth' or 'ground' is expressed as 접지 rather than 지구.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the possessive form 'Earth's', add the particle 의 to the word to get 지구의.
How do you pronounce it?
Jigu
Did you know?
- The name 지구 is actually a 'ball' of 'ground', a term coined by the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci and adopted into the Korean vocabulary.
- While 지구 means the planet, the Korean word for 'world' or 'earthly realm' is often 세상, which emphasizes the society and life upon it.
- In Korean poetry and literature, the concept of 'earth' as a nurturing mother is often associated with 대지, a word meaning 'great land'.
Examples in context
- 지구는 달보다 훨씬 커.The earth is far bigger than the moon.This sentence is useful for comparing the size of 지구 to the moon.Tatoeba #8365763 by Eunhee, translation #277127 by CM
- 지구는 달보다 훨씬 더 넓어.The earth is much larger than the moon.This sentence is useful for comparing the width or scale of 지구 to the moon.Tatoeba #8365773 by Eunhee, translation #1461905 by CK
- 달의 중력은 지구의 1/6배야.The gravity of the moon is one-sixth of that of the earth.This sentence is useful for discussing the gravitational relationship between the moon and 지구.Tatoeba #8365764 by Eunhee, translation #238815 by CM
- 지구는 우리 모두의 고향입니다.The Earth is everyone's home.
- 오늘은 땅을 살펴보는 거 어때?How about exploring the land today?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at a science book together.
- 민지 Min-ji지구는 푸른색이야.jigu-neun pureun-saek-iya.Earth is blue.
- 도현 Do-hyeon우리가 사는 지구 말이지?uriga saneun jigu mal-iji?You mean the Earth where we live?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 정말 아름다워.eung, jeongmal areumdawa.Yes, it is truly beautiful.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지구는 참 신비로운 곳이야.jigu-neun cham sinbirowun gos-iya.Earth is a very mysterious place.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earth” translations and entries 지구, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 지구, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
