Korean Dictionary
How to say "Republic" in Korean
“Republic” in Korean is 공화국 (pronounced "Gonghwaguk").
공화국
Gonghwaguk
Usage & Context
A form of government where the head of state is not a monarch. South Korea is officially the Republic of Korea, established in 1948.
Example Sentence
대한민국은 민주공화국입니다.
South Korea is a democratic republic.
How to use 공화국 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Republic” is 공화국, romanized as Gonghwaguk.
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 공화국.
Pronunciation Guide
공 (Gong) sounds like 'gong' as in 'gong show'. 화 (hwa) sounds like 'hwah' or 'wah' but with an initial 'h' sound. 국 (guk) sounds like 'gook' in 'cookbook' with a sharp, stopped 'k' sound at the end. Together, it's 'Gong-hwah-gook'.
More Example Sentences
Stating a historical fact about South Korea's founding.
대한민국은 1948년에 수립된 공화국입니다.
The Republic of Korea was established in 1948.
Discussing political systems of various nations.
많은 아프리카 국가들이 공화국 형태를 띠고 있습니다.
Many African countries have a republican form of government.
Referring to a historical figure's role in nation-building.
그는 공화국 수립에 큰 기여를 했습니다.
He made a great contribution to the establishment of the republic.
Cultural Context
The term '공화국' is crucial for understanding South Korea's national identity, as its official name is '대한민국' (Daehan Minguk), meaning 'Republic of Korea'. This name signifies its status as a sovereign state with a republican form of government, distinguishing it from monarchies or communist states. It's a fundamental concept in South Korean civics and is often contrasted with North Korea's official name, '조선민주주의인민공화국' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).
Editorial note
We review entries like 공화국 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
대한민국
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
민주공화국
Democratic Republic
공화국 체제
Republican system
Related Expressions
민주공화국
Minju gonghwaguk
Democratic Republic (often combined)
왕국
Wang-guk
Kingdom, monarchy (antonym)
제국
Jeguk
Empire (related historical concept)
국가
Gukga
Nation, state (broader term)
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