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A1 noun #3,000 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

농구

nonggu
At the A1 level, '농구' is a basic vocabulary word used to describe a hobby or a sport. You should be able to say that you like basketball (농구를 좋아해요) or that you play it (농구를 해요). The focus is on simple Subject-Object-Verb structures. You might also learn '농구공' (basketball) to identify the object. At this stage, you don't need complex grammar; just knowing how to identify the sport and express a basic preference is enough.
At the A2 level, you can describe your basketball activities in the past or future tense. For example, '어제 농구를 했어요' (I played basketball yesterday). You can also start using basic particles like '하고' (and) to list sports: '저는 농구하고 축구를 좋아해요.' You should be able to understand simple directions or invitations related to the sport, such as '우리 농구하러 갈까요?' (Shall we go play basketball?).
At the B1 level, you can talk about the rules of basketball or describe a specific game in more detail. You might use connectors like '때문에' (because) or '기 위해서' (in order to). For example, '키가 크기 위해서 농구를 시작했어요' (I started basketball in order to grow tall). You can also discuss your favorite players or teams and explain why you like them using more varied adjectives.
At the B2 level, you can engage in discussions about the cultural impact of basketball in Korea or debate the merits of different team strategies. You can understand sports news reports that use more technical vocabulary like '득점력' (scoring ability) or '수비력' (defensive ability). You should be able to write a short essay about the benefits of team sports like basketball for physical and mental health.
At the C1 level, you can understand the nuances of basketball commentary and professional analysis. You can discuss complex topics such as the financial structure of the KBL or the history of basketball's development in East Asia. You can use idiomatic expressions related to sports and understand metaphors derived from basketball in business or political contexts (e.g., '풀코트 프레스' - full-court press).
At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of the word and its contexts. You can appreciate the literary use of basketball imagery in Korean novels or poetry. You can lead professional-level discussions on sports science related to basketball or provide simultaneous interpretation for a basketball-related event. Your vocabulary includes highly specialized technical terms and historical slang associated with the sport's golden era.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

농구 en 30 secondes

  • 농구 (Nong-gu) is the Korean word for basketball, derived from Hanja meaning 'basket ball'.
  • It is primarily used with the verb '하다' (to do/play) and is a common hobby in Korea.
  • The word is essential for discussing sports, school life, and physical activities in Korean.
  • Cultural icons like 'Slam Dunk' have made basketball a deeply rooted sport in Korean society.

The word 농구 (Nong-gu) is the Korean term for basketball, a globally popular team sport played on a rectangular court. In the Korean language, the word is derived from Hanja (Sino-Korean characters), where nong (籠) signifies a basket or cage, and gu (球) refers to a ball. This literal translation—'basket ball'—mirrors the English etymology perfectly. In South Korea, basketball is more than just a game; it is a cultural phenomenon that peaked in the 1990s and remains a staple of school life and professional entertainment. When you see the word 농구, you should immediately visualize a high-paced environment involving dribbling, shooting, and teamwork.

Hanja Composition
籠 (농) - Basket / 籠 (구) - Ball
Part of Speech
Noun (명사)
Standard Usage
Used in both formal sports reporting and casual conversation.

저는 친구들과 매일 방과 후에 농구를 합니다. (I play basketball with my friends every day after school.)

Understanding 농구 requires recognizing its role in the 'gu' (ball) family of Korean words. Just as 'soccer' is chuk-gu and 'baseball' is ya-gu, the 'gu' suffix is a vital marker for ball-related sports. This makes the word easy to categorize for learners. Historically, the sport gained massive traction in Korea through the 'Basketball Party' (Nonggu Janchi) era and the influence of the Japanese manga 'Slam Dunk', which is still iconic in Korea today.

농구 선수가 되고 싶은 것이 제 꿈입니다. (My dream is to become a basketball player.)

Associated Verbs
하다 (to do/play), 관람하다 (to watch), 연습하다 (to practice)

Furthermore, the physical space where the sport is played is called a nong-gu-jang (basketball court). In urban Korea, you will find these courts in public parks (Hangang Park is a prime example) and school grounds. The word carries a youthful, energetic connotation and is often associated with height and physical fitness.

이번 주말에 농구 시합이 있어요. (There is a basketball match this weekend.)

그는 농구 실력이 아주 뛰어납니다. (His basketball skills are very outstanding.)

Synonyms in Context
바스켓볼 (Basketball - loanword, less common but used in specific contexts)

어제 TV에서 농구 결승전을 봤어요. (I watched the basketball finals on TV yesterday.)

Using 농구 correctly in a sentence primarily involves pairing it with the right verbs and particles. For A1 learners, the most important combination is 농구를 하다 (to play basketball). Unlike English, where we 'play' sports, Korean uses the general verb 'to do' (하다) for most sports that don't involve a specific specialized verb. When you want to express that you like the sport, you use 농구를 좋아하다.

As you progress to intermediate levels, you will start to use more specific nouns like 농구공 (basketball ball), 농구화 (basketball shoes), and 농구대 (basketball hoop/rim). The particle '를' is often dropped in casual speech, so '농구 해?' (Do you play basketball?) is very common among friends. If you are talking about watching a game, use 농구 경기 (basketball match) followed by 보러 가다 (go to see) or 관람하다 (to watch/spectate).

In terms of grammar, 농구 functions as a standard noun. It can be the subject (농구가 재미있어요 - Basketball is fun) or the object (농구를 배워요 - I learn basketball). It can also modify other nouns directly, such as 농구 선수 (basketball player) or 농구 팀 (basketball team). When discussing positions, you might hear 가드 (guard), 포워드 (forward), or 센터 (center), which are borrowed directly from English but pronounced with Korean phonology.

You will encounter the word 농구 in several distinct environments in Korea. Firstly, in educational settings, PE (Physical Education) class is often where students first learn the word. Teachers will say, '오늘은 농구를 하겠습니다' (Today we will do basketball). Secondly, in urban environments, especially near the Han River or in neighborhood parks, you will hear people shouting '농구 한 판 할래?' (Want to play a round of basketball?).

The media is another major source. Sports news segments on channels like SBS or KBS will frequently feature the KBL (Korean Basketball League) or the WKBL (Women's Korean Basketball League). Commentators will use the word rapidly: '농구의 묘미는 역시 덩크슛이죠!' (The beauty of basketball is definitely the dunk shot!). You will also see it in variety shows (like 'Handsome Tigers') where celebrities form basketball teams. Finally, in casual social gatherings, asking about hobbies often leads to the word: '취미가 뭐예요?' '저는 농구하는 걸 좋아해요.'

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is trying to use the verb 놀다 (to play/hang out) with 농구. In Korean, 놀다 is used for playing with toys or hanging out with friends, but never for organized sports. Always use 하다. Another mistake is confusing 농구 with 배구 (volleyball). Because both involve hands and a net/hoop, beginners sometimes swap them. Remember: Nong (籠) is basket, Bae (排) is to push/strike (as in volleyball).

Pronunciation can also be a minor hurdle. Ensure the 'ng' sound in nong is clear and the 'gu' is a soft 'g' sound, not a hard 'k'. Some learners also forget to add the 'jang' (field/court) when referring to the location, simply saying '농구에 가요' (I go to basketball), which is incorrect. You should say '농구장에 가요' (I go to the basketball court). Lastly, when saying 'basketball player', avoid saying '농구 사람'; the correct term is always 농구 선수.

To better understand 농구, it helps to look at related ball sports. 축구 (Chuk-gu) is soccer, the most popular sport in Korea. 야구 (Ya-gu) is baseball, which rivals soccer in popularity. 배구 (Bae-gu) is volleyball, which shares the 'hand-based' nature of basketball but has different rules. 족구 (Jok-gu) is a unique Korean sport—foot volleyball—often played by soldiers or office workers on company outings.

Beyond sports, words like 공 (Gong) simply mean 'ball'. 경기 (Gyeong-gi) means 'match' or 'game'. 시합 (Si-hap) is another word for 'contest' or 'match'. If you are talking about a professional league, you use 리그 (Ri-geu). Understanding these terms creates a semantic web that makes 농구 easier to remember. For instance, if you know nong-gu is basketball and hwa is shoe, nong-gu-hwa becomes intuitive.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Argot

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

농구를 좋아해요.

I like basketball.

Object particle '를' is used with the verb '좋아하다'.

2

이것은 농구공입니다.

This is a basketball.

Standard 'Noun + 입니다' polite ending.

3

학교에서 농구를 해요.

I play basketball at school.

Location particle '에서' indicates where the action happens.

4

농구는 재미있어요.

Basketball is fun.

Topic particle '는' introduces the subject.

5

제 친구는 농구를 잘해요.

My friend is good at basketball.

'잘하다' means to be good at something.

6

오늘 농구 시합이 있어요.

There is a basketball match today.

'있어요' indicates existence.

7

농구화가 비싸요.

Basketball shoes are expensive.

Adjective '비싸다' describes the noun.

8

같이 농구해요!

Let's play basketball together!

Casual '해요' can function as a suggestion.

1

어제 친구들과 농구를 했어요.

I played basketball with friends yesterday.

Past tense '했어요'.

2

농구를 하고 싶어요.

I want to play basketball.

'-고 싶다' expresses desire.

3

주말에 농구장에 갈 거예요.

I will go to the basketball court on the weekend.

Future tense '-(으)ㄹ 거예요'.

4

농구는 축구보다 더 재미있어요.

Basketball is more fun than soccer.

'-보다' is used for comparison.

5

저는 농구 선수가 되고 싶어요.

I want to become a basketball player.

'-이/가 되다' means to become.

6

농구공을 하나 사고 싶어요.

I want to buy one basketball.

Counter '하나' for objects.

7

매일 한 시간씩 농구를 연습해요.

I practice basketball for an hour every day.

'-씩' indicates distribution/regularity.

8

비가 와서 농구를 못 했어요.

I couldn't play basketball because it rained.

'-아서/어서' for reason, '못' for inability.

1

농구는 팀워크가 아주 중요한 운동입니다.

Basketball is an exercise where teamwork is very important.

Adjective modifying a noun: '중요한 운동'.

2

키가 크기 위해서 농구를 시작하는 사람들이 많아요.

There are many people who start basketball in order to grow tall.

'-기 위해서' means 'in order to'.

3

농구 경기를 보러 경기장에 갔는데 사람이 정말 많았어요.

I went to the stadium to watch a basketball game, and there were so many people.

'-는데' provides background information.

4

어렸을 때부터 농구를 즐겨 했습니다.

I have enjoyed playing basketball since I was young.

'-을 때부터' means 'since the time when'.

5

농구 규칙을 잘 몰라서 친구에게 물어봤어요.

I didn't know the basketball rules well, so I asked a friend.

'-아서/어서' for cause/effect.

6

이 농구화는 가볍고 점프하기에 편해요.

These basketball shoes are light and comfortable for jumping.

'-기에' means 'for doing something'.

7

한국에서 농구의 인기가 예전만큼은 아니에요.

The popularity of basketball in Korea isn't what it used to be.

'-만큼' indicates comparison of degree.

8

농구를 하면 스트레스가 풀리는 것 같아요.

I feel like my stress is relieved when I play basketball.

'-는 것 같다' expresses an opinion or feeling.

1

농구는 공수 전환이 매우 빠른 스포츠라 박진감이 넘칩니다.

Basketball is a sport with very fast transitions between offense and defense, so it's thrilling.

'-라' (contracted '-라서') for reason.

2

그 선수는 농구 지능이 높아서 경기를 잘 조율합니다.

That player has high basketball IQ, so he coordinates the game well.

Technical term '농구 지능' (Basketball IQ).

3

농구 동호회에 가입해서 매주 정기적으로 시합을 합니다.

I joined a basketball club and play matches regularly every week.

'-에 가입하다' means to join a group.

4

부상 때문에 한동안 농구를 쉴 수밖에 없었어요.

I had no choice but to take a break from basketball for a while due to an injury.

'-을 수밖에 없다' means 'have no choice but to'.

5

농구 경기 도중 심판의 판정에 항의하는 일이 발생했습니다.

An incident occurred during the basketball game where they protested the referee's decision.

'-는 도중' means 'in the middle of'.

6

그는 농구 역사상 가장 위대한 선수로 꼽힙니다.

He is considered the greatest player in basketball history.

'-로 꼽히다' means to be counted/considered as.

7

농구 전술이 현대에 들어와서 더욱 복잡해지고 있습니다.

Basketball tactics are becoming more complex in modern times.

'-아/어지다' indicates a change in state.

8

농구를 통해 협동심과 책임감을 배울 수 있었습니다.

I was able to learn cooperation and responsibility through basketball.

'-를 통해' means 'through/via'.

1

농구의 저변 확대를 위해 유소년 시스템 구축이 시급합니다.

To expand the base of basketball, it is urgent to establish a youth system.

Formal academic tone.

2

프로 농구 리그의 흥행을 위해서는 스타 플레이어의 발굴이 필수적입니다.

For the success of the professional basketball league, discovering star players is essential.

'-를 위해서' in a formal context.

3

농구는 쿼터별로 흐름이 급격히 변할 수 있는 유동적인 경기입니다.

Basketball is a fluid game where the flow can change drastically by quarter.

Use of '유동적인' (fluid/volatile).

4

그의 농구 인생은 끊임없는 노력과 열정의 산물이었습니다.

His basketball life was the product of ceaseless effort and passion.

Metaphorical '산물' (product/result).

5

농구 경기에서 1점 차의 승부는 관중들에게 짜릿한 전율을 선사합니다.

A one-point victory in a basketball game gives the audience a thrilling shiver.

Literary '전율을 선사하다'.

6

현대 농구에서는 포지션의 파괴가 가속화되고 있는 추세입니다.

In modern basketball, the breakdown of positions is an accelerating trend.

'-는 추세이다' means 'is a trend'.

7

농구화 시장은 기능성뿐만 아니라 패션 아이템으로서의 가치도 중요해졌습니다.

In the basketball shoe market, not only functionality but also value as a fashion item has become important.

'-뿐만 아니라' means 'not only... but also'.

8

농구라는 매개체를 통해 지역 사회의 화합을 도모할 수 있습니다.

Through the medium of basketball, we can promote the harmony of the local community.

Formal '도모하다' (to promote/aim for).

1

농구의 미학은 유기적인 패스 워크와 정교한 슛 메커니즘의 조화에 있습니다.

The aesthetics of basketball lie in the harmony of organic pass work and sophisticated shooting mechanisms.

Highly abstract and formal language.

2

그 선수의 은퇴는 한국 농구계의 한 시대가 저물었음을 의미합니다.

That player's retirement signifies the end of an era in the Korean basketball world.

Metaphorical '시대가 저물다'.

3

농구 경기 운영에 있어서 데이터 분석의 비중이 비약적으로 증가했습니다.

The importance of data analysis in basketball game management has increased exponentially.

Use of '비약적으로' (leaps and bounds).

4

농구는 찰나의 순간에 승패가 갈리는 잔혹하면서도 매혹적인 스포츠입니다.

Basketball is a cruel yet fascinating sport where victory and defeat are decided in a split second.

Poetic '찰나의 순간'.

5

농구 전술의 변천사는 스포츠 과학의 발전 궤적과 그 궤를 같이합니다.

The history of basketball tactics aligns with the development trajectory of sports science.

Idiomatic '궤를 같이하다' (to be in line with).

6

농구 코트 위의 열기는 단순한 경쟁을 넘어 인간의 한계에 대한 도전입니다.

The heat on the basketball court goes beyond simple competition; it is a challenge to human limits.

Philosophical tone.

7

농구 중계의 백미는 해설자의 날카로운 분석과 현장의 생동감 넘치는 함성입니다.

The highlight of a basketball broadcast is the commentator's sharp analysis and the lively shouts from the scene.

Use of '백미' (highlight/best part).

8

농구라는 스포츠가 지닌 역동성은 현대 사회의 속도감과 맞닿아 있습니다.

The dynamism of the sport of basketball is in touch with the sense of speed in modern society.

Abstract '맞닿아 있다' (to be connected/in touch).

Collocations courantes

농구를 하다
농구공을 던지다
농구장에 가다
농구화를 신다
농구 선수가 되다
농구 경기를 보다
농구 팀에 들다
농구 규칙을 배우다
농구 연습을 하다
농구 점수를 내다

Phrases Courantes

농구 한 판 해요

농구 좋아하세요?

농구 경기 결과

농구 골대

농구 동호회

길거리 농구

프로 농구

여자 농구

농구 국가대표

농구 잡지

Souvent confondu avec

농구 vs 배구 (Volleyball)

농구 vs 축구 (Soccer)

농구 vs 야구 (Baseball)

Expressions idiomatiques

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

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Facile à confondre

농구 vs

농구 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Can refer to the sport itself or the act of playing.

formality

Neutral word used in all levels of formality.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using '놀다' instead of '하다'.
  • Confusing '농구' (basketball) with '배구' (volleyball).
  • Saying '농구 사람' instead of '농구 선수'.
  • Omitting the '장' in '농구장' when talking about the location.
  • Mispronouncing '농구' as '논구' (non-gu).

Astuces

The 'Gu' Rule

Remember that '구' (gu) means ball. This will help you learn 축구, 야구, and 배구 easily. It's a great way to group sports vocabulary. Most ball sports follow this pattern.

Verb Choice

Always use '하다' for playing sports. Never use '놀다' for basketball. This is a common beginner mistake. '하다' covers almost all competitive sports.

Han River Courts

If you visit Seoul, go to the Han River parks. You will see many people playing 농구 there. It's a great place to practice your Korean and basketball. People are usually friendly to newcomers.

Batchim Sound

The 'ng' in 'nong' is a nasal sound. Make sure it's clear before moving to the 'gu' sound. Practice saying it slowly: Nong-gu. It should flow smoothly.

Sports News

Watch the sports segment of the Korean news. They talk about '농구' every day. It's a great way to hear the word in a professional context. You'll learn other related words too.

Compound Words

You can make many words by adding to '농구'. 농구 + 공 = basketball. 농구 + 화 = basketball shoes. It's very logical.

Making Friends

Asking '농구 좋아하세요?' is a great icebreaker. Many Koreans have a favorite team or player. It's a safe and popular topic of conversation.

Variety Shows

Watch shows like 'Infinite Challenge' or 'Running Man' basketball specials. They use the word '농구' constantly. It's helpful for hearing natural, casual usage.

Hanja Roots

Knowing that 'Nong' means basket helps you remember the word. It's the 'basket-ball'. This connection makes the word stick in your memory.

Game vs. Match

Use '경기' for professional games. Use '시합' for more casual or school matches. Both work with '농구'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Sino-Korean

Contexte culturel

Frequently featured in webtoons and dramas.

Hangang Park is the most famous spot for pickup games.

High among students and young adults.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"농구 좋아하세요?"

"가장 좋아하는 농구 팀이 어디예요?"

"오늘 퇴근하고 농구 하러 갈래요?"

"어제 농구 경기 봤어요?"

"농구 잘하는 법 좀 알려주세요."

Sujets d'écriture

내가 농구를 좋아하는 이유

처음 농구를 했던 기억

가장 기억에 남는 농구 경기

농구 선수가 된다면?

우리 동네 농구장 풍경

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

You say '농구를 해요' (Nong-gu-reul hae-yo). '하다' is the verb for 'to do' or 'to play' in this context. It is the most natural way to express the action. Avoid using '놀다'.

농구 is the standard Korean word. 바스켓볼 is a loanword from English. While people understand 바스켓볼, 농구 is used 99% of the time in daily life and media.

Yes, it is very popular, especially among men in their teens to 40s. It had a massive peak in the 90s and remains a top-tier professional sport. Many people play recreationally in parks.

The word is '농구장' (Nong-gu-jang). 'Jang' means a place or field. You can find many public '농구장' in Korea.

No, 농구 is a noun. You must add the verb '하다' to make it an action: '농구하다'.

A basketball player is called a '농구 선수' (Nong-gu seon-su). 'Seon-su' means athlete or player.

You can say '슛을 하다' or '공을 던지다' (throw the ball). '슛' is the loanword for 'shoot'.

Extremely. Most Koreans are familiar with the characters' Korean names (e.g., Kang Baek-ho for Hanamichi Sakuragi). It influenced the popularity of the sport significantly.

They use English terms: 가드 (Guard), 포워드 (Forward), 센터 (Center). There are no common native Korean words for these.

You say '농구 경기' (Nong-gu gyeong-gi) or '농구 시합' (Nong-gu si-hap).

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