공원
gong'won[ko̞ŋwʌ̹n]
The English word 'park' (referring to a recreation ground) is 공원 (gong'won) in Korean.
공원 is a noun used to describe a place for recreation. For example, you can refer to specific locations such as 한강공원 (Han River Park) or 올림픽공원 (Olympic Park).
Meaning: ground for recreation (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the noun 공원, which means a public park and the verb 주차하다, which means to park a vehicle.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
gong'won
Did you know?
- Many large 공원 in Seoul, like Olympic Park, function as multi-purpose cultural hubs that host massive food festivals and K-pop concerts, far exceeding the English concept of a simple 'green space'.
- The word 공원 is composed of two characters: 공 meaning 'public' and 원 meaning 'garden'. This highlights a cultural emphasis on the communal nature of these spaces.
- While 공원 refers to a public park, Koreans use the word 산책 to describe the specific act of 'strolling' through one, a concept often treated as a dedicated leisure activity.
Examples in context
- 그는 공원 내 어딘가에 있다.He's somewhere in the park.This sentence shows the use of 공원 to indicate a location.Tatoeba #11104868 by intertime, translation #1471357 by CK
- 세 명의 아이들이 공원에서 놀고 있다.Three children were playing in the park.This sentence shows children playing in the context of 공원.Tatoeba #11106155 by intertime, translation #72673 by CK
- 톰은 우리랑 같이 공원에 가고 싶지 않대.Tom said he didn't want to go to the park with us.This sentence shows a person's desire regarding going to the 공원.Tatoeba #4752020 by kimhkng, translation #2639977 by CK
- 신사공원에서 산책하면 느긋한 시간을 보낼 수 있어요.You can spend a leisurely time taking a walk in Shinsa Park.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are deciding where to meet for a walk.
- 서연 Seo-yeon우리 오늘 공원에서 만날까요?uri oneul gong-won-eseo mannalkkayo?Shall we meet at the park today?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 어느 공원으로 갈까요?joayo. eoneu gong-won-euro galkkayo?Sounds good. Which park shall we go to?
- 서연 Seo-yeon집 근처에 있는 작은 공원이 좋겠어요.jip geuncheoe inneun jageun gong-woni jokgesseoyo.The small park near my house would be good.
- 지훈 Ji-hun알겠어요. 거기서 봐요.algesseoyo. geogiseo bwayo.I understand. See you there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “park” translations and entries 공원, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공원, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
