Korean Dictionary
How to say "Airplane" in Korean
“Airplane” in Korean is 비행기 (pronounced "bihaenggi").
비행기
bihaenggi
Usage & Context
비행기 travel is very common among Koreans especially for international trips and routes to Jeju Island. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are the two major full-service Korean carriers while several budget airlines like Jin Air and Jeju Air also operate. Incheon International Airport has been repeatedly rated one of the best airports in the world.
Example Sentence
제주도에 비행기를 타고 갈 거예요.
I am going to Jeju Island by airplane.
How to use 비행기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Airplane” is 비행기, romanized as bihaenggi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 비행기.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'bi-haeng-gi' — 'bi' like 'bee', 'haeng' rhymes with 'hang', 'gi' like 'gee'.
More Example Sentences
complaining about inflation
비행기 표 값이 많이 올랐어요.
Airplane ticket prices have risen a lot.
admitting a weakness
비행기 멀미가 심해요.
I get really bad motion sickness on planes.
travel complication
비행기가 연착됐어요.
The airplane was delayed.
Cultural Context
비행기 travel is common for Koreans, especially to Jeju (제주도), Japan, and Southeast Asia. 인천국제공항 (Incheon International Airport) is a global hub and has won 'world's best airport' awards repeatedly. Budget carriers (저가항공, LCC) like 제주항공 and 진에어 opened up affordable international travel. The phrase '비행기 타다' means to ride/board a plane.
Editorial note
We review entries like 비행기 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
비행기 타요.
I'm taking an airplane.
비행기 표 예매했어요.
I booked an airplane ticket.
비행기가 도착했어요.
The airplane has arrived.
Related Expressions
공항
gonghang
airport
비행기표
bihaenggipyo
airplane ticket
저가항공
jeoga hanggong
budget airline
이륙
iryuk
takeoff
Frequently asked questions
How do you correctly pronounce "비행기" (bihaenggi) and what are typical pronunciation challenges?+
The Korean word for airplane, 비행기 (bihaenggi), is pronounced "bee-haeng-gee." Pay attention to the "ㅐ" (ae) vowel, which is like the "a" in "cat" but slightly more open. The "ㅎ" (h) sound is soft, similar to the "h" in "hello." Many English speakers might struggle with the "ㅐ" sound or overemphasize the "h." Practice saying each syllable clearly: 비 (bi), 행 (haeng), 기 (gi).
In which common situations do Koreans use the word "비행기" when discussing travel?+
Koreans frequently use 비행기 (bihaenggi) when referring to air travel, especially for international trips or domestic routes like to Jeju Island. You'd say "비행기를 타다" (bihaenggireul tada) meaning "to take an airplane" or "비행기표" (bihaenggi-pyo) for "airplane ticket." It's a standard term used in everyday conversations about travel plans, booking flights, or discussing airport experiences.
Are there any other essential Korean words related to air travel besides "비행기"?+
Yes, several. For the place where airplanes operate, you'd use 공항 (gonghang) for "airport." An "airline" is 항공사 (hanggongsa), like Korean Air (대한항공, Daehan Hanggong) or Asiana Airlines (아시아나항공, Asiana Hanggong). A "flight" itself can be referred to as 항공편 (hanggongpyeon). If you're talking about the "crew," it's 승무원 (seungmuwon). These terms are vital for discussing air travel comprehensively.
Is "비행기" a formal word, or are there more casual or formal alternatives in Korean?+
비행기 (bihaenggi) is a neutral and widely accepted term for "airplane" or "aircraft" and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. There isn't a significantly more casual common alternative. For more technical or official contexts, you might hear 항공기 (hanggonggi), which also means "aircraft" but carries a slightly more formal or technical nuance, often used in news or official reports rather than daily conversation.
What are common grammatical patterns or verbs used with "비행기" when talking about taking a flight?+
The most common verb used with 비행기 (bihaenggi) when talking about taking a flight is 타다 (tada), meaning "to ride" or "to take." So, you'd say "비행기를 타다" (bihaenggireul tada) for "to take an airplane." To express "going by airplane," you often use "비행기로 가다" (bihaenggiro gada), where "-로" (ro) indicates the means of transportation. For example, "제주도에 비행기로 가요" (Jejudoe bihaenggiro gayo) means "I'm going to Jeju Island by airplane."
More Transportation Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Airplane and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
