공부
gongbu[ko̞ŋbu]
In Korean, the English phrase 'studying' is translated as 공부 (gongbu).
공부 is a noun that refers to the act of studying. In most natural sentences, it is used as part of the verb 공부하다, which means 'to study'.
Meaning: the action of the verb to study (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 공부 refers to the act of studying, it is a noun that requires a verb like 하다 (to do) to function as a predicate in a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 중 to the noun creates the phrase 공부 중 in the sense of 'currently in the process of studying'. Additionally, the noun 공부 is most commonly used as part of the verb 공부하다 (to study) in natural sentences.
How do you pronounce it?
gongbu
Did you know?
- The word 공부 originally comes from Chinese characters meaning 'work' and 'man'. It described the physical labor of a worker before it evolved to mean the mental labor of studying.
- In South Korea, the cultural pressure to engage in 공부 is so high that many students attend 학원, which are private after-school academies that often stay open until 10 p.m.
- While 공부 refers to academic study, Koreans often use the word 열공 as a slang contraction. It combines 'passion' and 'study' to describe studying with intense focus.
Examples in context
- 언어를 공부하는 게 좋아요.I like studying languages.This sentence is useful for showing how to express a preference for studying languages using 공부.Tatoeba #6305017 by Queserasera, translation #2784248 by CK
- 그도 중국어를 공부하고 있다.He is also studying Chinese.This sentence shows the use of 공부 to describe someone currently studying a specific language.Tatoeba #3681096 by intertime, translation #724101 by mindy
- 왜 우리는 프랑스어를 공부할까요?Why are we studying French?This sentence uses 공부 to ask a question about the purpose of studying a language.Tatoeba #10573915 by ssuss32, translation #6265593 by CK
- 공부하러 도서관에 갑시다.Let's go to the library to study.
- 저는 학교에서 수학을 배우고 있어요.I am studying math at school.
- 오늘 뭐 공부해?What are you studying today?
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun meet at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji지금 공부 해요?jigeum gongbu haeyo?Are you studying now?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 내일 시험이 있어요.ne, naeil siheomi isseoyo.Yes, I have an exam tomorrow.
- 민지 Min-ji공부 열심히 하세요!gongbu yeolsimhi haseyo!Study hard!
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 민지 씨.gomawoyo, Minji ssi.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 공부, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공부, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
