강
gang[ka̠ŋ]
The English word 'river' is translated into Korean as 강 (gang). Wiktionary also lists 수 (su) and 가람 (garam).
Meaning: large stream which drains a landmass (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 강 | gang | [ka̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 수 | su | [sʰu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 가람 | garam | [ka̠ɾa̠m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a large stream of water that drains a landmass. In Korean, when naming specific rivers, the word 강 is often appended to the name, such as in 한강 (Han River) or 낙동강 (Nakdong River), which is the longest waterway in the country and is located in the southeastern part of Korea.
Which one should you use?
강 is the standard, everyday word for 'river' used in most contexts. 수 is a Sino-Korean root meaning water or river. It is typically used in compound words rather than as a standalone noun in conversation. 가람 is a pure Korean word for 'river' that is now considered archaic and is primarily used in poetry or literature to evoke a traditional feeling.
How do you pronounce it?
gang
Did you know?
- Because 강 is a very common sound in Korean, it is a homonym for several other unrelated concepts, including 'class' and 'stove' in specific Sino-Korean contexts.
- The word 가람 is often used today in the names of traditional Korean businesses or artworks to signal a sense of heritage and timelessness.
- The Nakdong River, known as 낙동강, is the longest river in South Korea and serves as a major geographical landmark that historically divided regional dialects.
Examples in context
- 나는 강변 산책이 좋다.I love walking along the river.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for walking along the river using 강.Tatoeba #11107552 by intertime, translation #1083979 by CM
- 그는 매일 강에 수영하러 간다.He goes swimming in the river every day.This sentence is useful for describing a daily activity of swimming in the river using 강.Tatoeba #9583561 by vitalux, translation #303907 by CK
- 나일강만큼 긴 강은 세상에 없다.No river in the world is longer than the Nile.This sentence is useful for making a comparison about the length of a river using 강.Tatoeba #4705829 by rainbow4us, translation #36532 by CK
- 한국에는 아름다운 강이 많이 흐르고 있어요.There are many beautiful rivers flowing in Korea.
- 우리 학교 근처에 예쁜 강물이 흘러요.There's a beautiful river flowing near our school.
- 한강은 한국에서 가장 유명한 강 중 하나입니다.Han River is one of the most famous rivers in Korea.
- 낙동강은 한국에서 가장 긴 강입니다.Nakdong River is the longest river in Korea.
- 사랑은 강처럼 흐른다.Love flows like a river.
- 강가에서 산책하는 것이 좋아.I enjoy taking walks by the riverside.
- 장미색 강물은 정말 아름답다.The rose-colored river is truly beautiful.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are walking along a bank near a river.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo강이 정말 넓고 아름답다.gang-i jeongmal neolpgo areumdapda.The river is really wide and beautiful.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아, 여기서 강을 보니까 시원해.maja, yeogiseo gang-eul bonikka siwonhae.True, looking at the river from here feels refreshing.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo우리 이 강 근처에서 산책할까?uri i gang geuncheo-eseo sanchae-halkka?Shall we take a walk near this river?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 좋아. 같이 걷자.eung, joa. gachi geotja.Yes, sounds good. Let's walk together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “river” translations and entries 강, 수, 가람, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 강, 수, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
