우주
uju[ˈu(ː)d͡ʑu]
In Korean, the word for space is 우주 (uju).
우주 specifically refers to the cosmos or outer space. For example, you can say 우주 공간 to refer to outer space. It is also the base for the word 우주선, which means spaceship.
Meaning: a gap, an empty place (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 우주선 (spaceship) is a combination of 우주, meaning space and 선, meaning ship or vessel.
Which one should you use?
While 우주 refers to outer space, the term 공간 is used to describe a physical area, a room or a gap in a more general sense. For instance, you can use 개인 공간 to refer to personal space.
How do you pronounce it?
uju
Did you know?
- Korean speakers often use 우주 in hyperbolic slang to describe something massive or infinite, such as 우주급 (space-level) to describe a huge mistake or an enormous amount of talent.
- The word 우주 is composed of two characters that literally mean 'house' and 'state', or 'limit' and 'boundary'.
- While 우주 refers to the cosmos, the word 공간 (physical space) is used in the popular Korean phrase 여유 공간, which refers not just to physical room but to 'breathing room' or mental leisure.
Examples in context
- 창디아스 박사는 1981년에 우주비행사가 되었다. 그는 일곱 차례 우주 임무 수행 후, 2005년에 NASA이서 은퇴했다.Dr. Chang-Díaz became an astronaut in 1981. After seven space missions, he retired from NASA in 2005.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 우주 in the context of space missions.Tatoeba #8472790 by Eunhee, translation #3958710 by Hybrid
- 우리 우주는 무한한 가능성을 간직하고 있습니다.Our universe holds infinite possibilities.
- 우리는 인류의 영향력을 우주 공간까지 확장시킬 수 있습니다.We can expand the influence of humanity even into the space.
- 우리 다음 여행지는 우주로 정하자!Let's decide our next travel destination as space!
- 이 방에는 아무 것도 없어서 빈 공간이 많아요.There are many empty spaces in this room because there is nothing in it.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are looking at the night sky.
- 민지 Min-ji밤하늘을 보면 우주가 생각나요.bamhaneureul bomyeon ujuga saenggangnayo.Looking at the night sky makes me think of space.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 정말 신비로운 곳이에요.majayo. jeongmal sinbiroun gosieyo.You're right. It's a truly mysterious place.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨는 우주에 가보고 싶어요?jihun ssineun uju-e gabogo sipeoyo?Jihun, do you want to go to space?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 꼭 한번 가보고 싶어요.ne, kkok hanbeon gabogo sipeoyo.Yes, I definitely want to go there once.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 우주, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 우주, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
