Key Facts
- Hangul: 강; Revised Romanization: gang
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean, hanja 江 (river)
- Register: neutral, everyday word; in river names it attaches with no space (한강, 낙동강)
River in Korean: What Does 강 Mean?
강 means river, from a large river like the Han to a smaller one running through a town. In names it is attached directly, so the river's name already contains the word "river". For a small stream, Korean uses 시냇물 instead.
How Do You Pronounce 강?
One syllable, gang. The initial ㄱ is a plain consonant, without the strong puff of air of ㅋ. The word ends in ng, as in "song". In 강은 [gang-eun], the final ㅇ stays at the end of 강; it does not move into the next syllable. In 강가 (riverside), the second ㄱ is tensed, so it sounds like [gang-kka].
Example Sentences with 강
한강은 서울에 있어요.
Hangangeun seoure isseoyo
The Han River is in Seoul.
한강은 marks the Han River as the topic, and 서울에 있어요 means "is in Seoul".
강 근처에서 걸어요.
Gang geuncheoeseo georeoyo
I walk near the river.
근처에서 means "near" (literally "in the vicinity"), and 걸어요 means "walk". It describes a riverside stroll.
이 강은 아주 길어요.
I gangeun aju gireoyo
This river is very long.
이 강 means "this river", 아주 means "very" and 길어요 means "is long".
Common Phrases and Collocations
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 한강 | the Han River |
| 강가 | riverside |
| 강물 | river water |
| 강을 건너다 | to cross the river |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: adding another 강 or a space to a river name, such as "한강 강" or 한 강 for the Han River.
Correct: 한강 and 낙동강, written as one word. Also check the final consonant when typing: 강 ends in ㅇ (ng), not ㄴ (간) or ㅁ (감).
강 Compared with Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 강 | river | This page's word |
| 바다 | sea | A body of salt water, not a river |
| 호수 | lake | Still water surrounded by land |
| 시냇물 | stream, brook | A small stream, much smaller than a 강 |
Where Does the Word Come From?
강 comes from the hanja 江, which means river.
Cultural Note
The Han River divides Seoul into north and south. That is why the parts of the city are called 강북 (north of the river) and 강남 (south of the river).
By the River: Choosing a Walking Route
Two visitors are near a riverside path. One wants to know whether they need to cross to the other bank before continuing.
Visitor A
강을 건너야 해요?
Gangeul geonneoya haeyo?
Do we need to cross the river?
Visitor B
아니요, 강가를 따라 걸어요.
Aniyo, ganggareul ttara georeoyo.
No, we walk along the riverside.
Visitor A
다리까지 가요?
Darikkaji gayo?
Do we go as far as the bridge?
Visitor B
네, 다리 앞에서 만나요.
Ne, dari apeseo mannayo.
Yes, let’s meet in front of the bridge.
강을 건너다 means “cross the river”, while 강가를 따라 걷다 means “walk along the riverside”. Those are different routes. 까지 means “as far as” or “up to”, so 다리까지 sets the bridge as the end point rather than saying that anyone crosses it.
Where Will You Hear 강?
On maps, 강 often comes at the end of a river's name. 한강 and 낙동강 are complete names, so the final 강 is already doing the job of English “River”. In Korean sentences, attach the particle to the full name: 한강은 makes the Han River the topic.
In weather reports, 강물 and 수위 may appear together. 강물 is river water, while 수위 is the water level. A report about rising water concerns a condition of the river, rather than a change in its name or location. Recognising these nouns helps you identify the topic of the report.
In everyday Seoul conversation, 한강 can stand for the riverside outing as well as the waterway itself. Someone planning a walk or picnic may name the river and then give a park or meeting point. The river's name alone covers a long area, so it is rarely a precise place to meet.
Water, Bank and the Opposite Side
강물 names the water flowing in the river. 강가 names the land at its edge. A sentence about sitting at 강가 places someone beside the river, while a sentence about 강물 describes the water. The second syllable gives you that difference.
강 건너편 means “the other side of the river”. It is useful when a building is visible across the water but cannot be reached by following the same bank. 강을 따라 means “along the river”; 강을 건너 means “across the river”. Listen for the verb after 강 rather than assuming every riverside direction describes the same movement.
다리 means “bridge” in this setting. It also means “leg” in a body conversation, but a river route makes the intended meaning clear. Crossing a river on a bridge can be described by focusing on either the river you cross or the bridge you use.
Words for Reading a River Scene
| Korean | Meaning | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| 강가 | riverside | The land beside the water. |
| 강물 | river water | The water itself, rather than its banks. |
| 다리 | bridge | A crossing point along a route. |
| 건너편 | opposite side | A location across the water or another obstacle. |
| 수위 | water level | A measurement mentioned in weather or river reports. |
The landscape vocabulary lesson teaches rivers alongside lakes and other landforms. For a route description, add the exact place or feature you mean: the bank, a bridge or the opposite side. That turns 강 from a broad landscape word into a useful part of a direction.
Quick Self-Test
- Which names the water itself: 강가 or 강물?
- Does 강을 따라 mean crossing the river?
- Should the Han River be written 한강 or 한강 강?
Show answers
- 강물 names river water; 강가 is the riverside.
- No. It means along the river. Crossing uses 강을 건너다.
- 한강 already includes 강 and is written as one word.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "river" in Korean?
Say 강 (gang).
What is the Han River called in Korean?
It is 한강, written as one word.
What is 강가?
강가 is the riverside, the land along the edge of a river. It is pronounced [gang-kka].
What do 강북 and 강남 mean?
They mean north of the river and south of the river, the two halves of Seoul divided by the Han River.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: landscape and nature words groups 강 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Read next: island.
- Compare: lake.