Korean Dictionary
How to say "Foundation" in Korean
“Foundation” in Korean is 기초 공사 (pronounced "gicho gongsa").
기초 공사
gicho gongsa
Usage & Context
Foundation work is the first and most critical stage of construction. Korean builders conduct soil tests before laying foundations. Deep pile foundations are common for tall buildings on soft Seoul soil.
Example Sentence
기초 공사가 튼튼해야 건물이 안전해요.
The foundation must be solid for a building to be safe.
How to use 기초 공사 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Foundation” is 기초 공사, romanized as gicho gongsa.
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 기초 공사.
Pronunciation Guide
For '기초' (gicho), 'gi' sounds like 'gee' in 'geese' and 'cho' like 'cho' in 'chow'. '공사' (gongsa) is pronounced with 'gong' like 'gong' and 'sa' like 'sa' in 'salsa'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each word.
More Example Sentences
A construction worker explaining the importance of foundations.
건물의 안전을 위해 기초 공사를 튼튼하게 해야 해요.
For the safety of the building, the foundation work must be solid.
Reporting a construction delay or issue.
기초 공사 단계에서 예상치 못한 문제가 발생했어요.
An unexpected problem occurred during the foundation work stage.
Explaining construction challenges in a specific location.
이 지역은 지반이 약해서 기초 공사에 더 많은 시간과 비용이 들어요.
This area has weak ground, so foundation work takes more time and cost.
Cultural Context
Given South Korea's rapid urbanization and high-rise construction, '기초 공사' is a frequently discussed and critical phase in any building project. News reports often mention the progress of major construction, and the quality of the foundation is paramount, especially in a country prone to earthquakes (though less severe than some neighbors). The phrase can also be used metaphorically to mean 'laying the groundwork' or 'fundamental preparation' for any project or skill.
Editorial note
We review entries like 기초 공사 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
기초 공사 시작
Start of foundation work
기초 공사 완료
Completion of foundation work
기초 공사 현장
Foundation construction site
Related Expressions
토목 공사
tomok gongsa
Civil engineering work
건축 공사
geonchuk gongsa
Building construction
지반 공사
jiban gongsa
Groundwork/substructure work
골조 공사
goljo gongsa
Framing work (skeleton construction)
More Architecture Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Foundation and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
