시공하다

The Korean verb 시공하다 is a specialized term used primarily in the fields of architecture and civil engineering. It translates to 'to carry out construction' or 'to execute a build.' Think of it as the active process of turning blueprints into a physical reality.

When you use 시공하다, you aren't just talking about 'making' something in a general sense; you are talking about a formal, planned process. It implies following blueprints, safety standards, and engineering specifications. It is the bridge between a design on paper and the actual structure standing on the ground.

You will mostly hear this word in professional settings, such as construction sites, government urban planning meetings, or real estate development discussions. It carries a sense of technical responsibility and professional execution. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler words like '짓다' (to build), but 시공하다 is the go-to word when you want to sound precise about the construction process.

The word 시공(施工) is a Sino-Korean compound. It is composed of two Hanja characters: 시(施), which means 'to carry out' or 'to execute,' and 공(工), which means 'work' or 'labor.'

Historically, these characters were used to describe the act of performing labor under a specific mandate or plan. In traditional East Asian architecture, the distinction between designing (설계) and building (시공) was always recognized, even if the terms evolved over centuries. By combining these, the language created a specific term to distinguish the physical labor of construction from other types of work.

This term reflects the modernization of the Korean construction industry. As architecture became more scientific and standardized in the 20th century, the need for a formal term to describe the 'execution of construction' became vital. Today, it remains the standard technical term in the industry, maintaining its roots in classical Chinese characters while serving a very modern, industrial purpose.

You will typically see 시공하다 paired with nouns related to structures. Common collocations include 아파트를 시공하다 (to construct an apartment complex) or 교량을 시공하다 (to build a bridge).

The register of this word is definitely formal. You wouldn't use it to describe building a sandcastle or putting together a LEGO set. It belongs in a business report, a legal contract, or a news article about urban development. If you are talking to a friend about your DIY shelf, use '만들다' (to make) instead.

Because it is a verb of execution, it is often used in the passive voice or as a noun phrase in professional documents. For example, 시공 중 (under construction) is a very common phrase seen on signs or project updates. Understanding the distinction between 'design' (설계) and 'construction' (시공) is key to using this word correctly in a professional context.

While 시공하다 is a technical verb, it appears in several professional expressions:

• 시공을 다투다: To race against time in construction, often used when a project is behind schedule.
• 시공 능력: Construction capability, a metric used to rank construction companies.
• 무결점 시공: Zero-defect construction, a goal for high-quality building projects.
• 시공 불량: Construction defect, referring to poor workmanship.
• 시공사 선정: Selection of the construction company for a project.

These expressions are essential for anyone working in real estate or property development in Korea. They help describe the quality and status of a build.

시공하다 is a regular verb. In the present tense, it becomes 시공합니다 (formal) or 시공해요 (polite). In the past tense, it is 시공했다.

Pronunciation-wise, it is articulated as [시공하다]. The stress is fairly even, but focus on the clear articulation of the 'gong' syllable. It rhymes loosely with other Sino-Korean words ending in '공' such as '항공' (aviation) or '성공' (success).

Grammatically, it is a transitive verb that requires an object. You must 'construct something.' You cannot simply '시공하다' without specifying what is being built. Always ensure the object is a structure or a physical project to maintain natural usage.