지구본
jigubon[t͡ɕiɡubo̞n]
The English word 'globe' is translated into Korean as 지구본 (jigubon). Wiktionary also lists 지구의 (jiguui).
Meaning: model of Earth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 지구본 | jigubon | [t͡ɕiɡubo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 지구의 | jiguui | [t͡ɕiɡuɰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕiɡui] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
지구본 is used to refer to a physical, spherical model of the Earth. While the related term 지구 refers to the planet Earth itself, 지구본 specifically denotes the object.
Which one should you use?
Use 지구 to refer to the planet Earth, and use 지구본 to refer to a physical spherical model of the planet.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jigubon
Did you know?
- The word 지구본 literally translates to 'Earth sphere book', where the character 본 (本) means 'book' or 'origin'.
- Korean has a specific word for the 'axis' of a globe called 자전축, which literally means 'self-rotation axis'. This term is used both for the physical object and the planet.
- While 'globe' in English can mean the entire world, using 지구본 to mean 'the whole world' in a metaphorical sense would sound incorrect to a Korean speaker.
Examples in context
- 책상 위에 지구본이 있어요.chaeksang wie jigubon i isseoyo.There is a globe on the desk.
- 이 지구본은 아주 작아요.i jigubon eun aju jagayo.This globe is very small.
- 아이 방에 지구본을 놓아주세요.ai bang e jigubon eul noajuseyo.Please put a globe in the child's room.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Su-bin are looking at a globe in a classroom.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 이 지구본 정말 멋지네요.Subin ssi, i jigubon jeongmal meotjineyo.Su-bin, this globe is really cool.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 색깔이 아주 선명해요.maj-ayo, saekkkari aju seonmyeonghaeyo.You're right, the colors are very vivid.
- 지훈 Ji-hun여기서 우리 나라를 찾아볼까요?yeogiseo uri nara-reul chajabolkayo?Shall we try to find our country on here?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아요, 같이 찾아봐요.joayo, gati chajabwayo.Sounds good, let's look for it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “globe” translations and entries 지구본, 지구의, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 지구본, 지구의, CC BY-SA 4.0.
