기관 — meaning in English: Agency

gigwan · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for agency

노이즈

noijeu

훈련

hunlyeon

공원

gong

기관

gigwan

포럼

poleom

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Korean for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 기관 in both professional and governmental contexts. For instance, you might hear a news report discussing the role of a government 기관 in managing public affairs or an advertisement for a travel 기관 offering holiday packages.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 사무소 (samuso), which specifically refers to an office. While 기관 can refer to both public and private agencies, 사무소 is more often used in informal contexts or when discussing specific office locations.

Culture

The word 기관 derives from the Sino-Korean characters 機關, where '기' refers to 'mechanism' or 'machine' and '관' denotes 'organ' or 'organization.' This reflects the dual idea of a structured entity that operates with precision, much like a machine, which is significant in Korea's highly organized society. Interestingly, the word has evolved to encompass various types of agencies, from government bodies to private organizations, showcasing its versatility in modern usage.

FAQ

Q.What does 기관 mean in English?

The word 기관 translates to 'agency' in English, referring to an organization or a body that acts on behalf of others, especially in government or business contexts.

Q.How do you use 기관 in a sentence?

You can use 기관 in sentences like '이 기관은 환경 보호를 위해 노력하고 있습니다,' which means 'This agency is working for environmental protection.'

Q.Are there common mistakes when using 기관?

A common mistake is to confuse 기관 with other words like 회사 (hwaesa), which means 'company.' Remember that 기관 often implies a broader organizational role, especially in public service.

Learn korean with Maspeak →

Korean 2000