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B1 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

공고

gonggo Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 공고 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 공고 in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word '공고' (gong-go) might seem a bit difficult because it is a formal word. However, you can think of it as a 'Big Sign' or 'Official Message.' Imagine you are at a school or a library. You see a paper on the wall that tells you when the library is closed. That paper is a '공고.' At this level, you don't need to use it in complex ways. Just remember that it means 'notice.' You will often see it on bulletin boards. A simple sentence would be: '공고를 보세요' (Look at the notice). It is like the word 'Notice' you see at the top of papers in English. Usually, A1 learners will see this word in public places like subway stations or schools. It is good to recognize it so you know that the information on that paper is important and official, not just a drawing or a casual note.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand where '공고' is used in daily life. You might see it in your apartment elevator or on a school website. It is a formal noun. You should know that '공고' is different from '광고' (gwang-go), which means 'advertisement.' If you see a paper telling people about a job, it is a '채용 공고' (chae-yong gong-go). You can use simple verbs with it, like '공고가 있다' (there is a notice) or '공고를 읽다' (to read a notice). At this stage, you are moving beyond just recognizing the word to understanding its purpose: to give official information to many people at once. When you see this word, you should pay attention because it usually contains rules, dates, or important news from an office or a school.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '공고' in professional and administrative contexts. This is the level where you might be looking for jobs or internships in Korea, so the term '채용 공고' (recruitment notice) becomes very important. You should understand that '공고' is a Sino-Korean word (公告) and can be used as a verb by adding '하다' (공고하다). You should also be able to distinguish it from '공지' (gong-ji). While both mean 'notice,' '공고' is more formal and often used by government or large organizations for public viewing. You will encounter this word in news headlines and official emails. For example, '입찰 공고' (bid notice) or '시험 공고' (exam notice). You should also start using grammar patterns like '공고에 따르면' (according to the notice) to report information to others.

At the B2 level, you should understand the legal and procedural nuances of '공고.' It's not just an announcement; it's often a required legal step in administrative processes. For instance, in Korean law, certain changes must be '공고' (publicly noticed) for a specific period before they become effective. You should be able to use the word in the passive form, '공고되다' (to be announced/posted), and understand compound nouns like '공고 기간' (announcement period) or '공고문' (the written notice itself). You can use '공고' to discuss corporate transparency or government communication strategies. At this level, you should also be able to recognize the word in more complex settings, such as real estate (분양 공고 - sales notice) or legal proceedings (파산 공고 - bankruptcy notice). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the formal register required for these topics.

At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the subtle distinctions between '공고' (public notice), '고시' (official notification with legal force), and '공람' (public inspection). You should be able to analyze why a specific term was chosen in an official document. For example, '공고' is often used for informing the general public, whereas '통보' might be used for specific stakeholders. You should be able to use '공고' in academic writing or professional reports without hesitation. You might discuss the effectiveness of public notices in the digital age or the legal requirements for a '공고' to be considered valid. Your vocabulary should include related terms like '공고를 갈음하다' (to take the place of a public notice) or '공고 사항' (matters to be announced). You should also be able to interpret the tone of a '공고문,' recognizing the authoritative and objective language typically used in these documents.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '공고' involves a deep understanding of its historical and legal evolution in the Korean administrative system. You can discuss the nuances of public notice requirements in various branches of law, such as administrative law, civil procedure, or commercial law. You understand the implications of '공시' (public disclosure) versus '공고' and can use these terms with absolute precision in a professional legal or high-level business environment. You are capable of drafting a formal '공고문' that adheres to all linguistic and professional standards, using appropriate honorifics and formal sentence endings. Furthermore, you can critically evaluate the accessibility of government '공고' for different demographics and propose improvements in formal Korean. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for navigating the most complex structures of Korean society and law.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

공고 in 30 Seconds

공고 (Gong-go) is a formal noun meaning 'public notice' or 'official announcement,' primarily used by institutions for public information.
It is commonly found in phrases like '채용 공고' (job notice) and is more formal than '공지' (general notice).
Derived from Hanja, it implies information that is broadcast to an unspecified group rather than a specific individual.
It is essential for navigating professional, academic, and legal environments in South Korea, such as reading government updates or job boards.

The Korean word 공고 (Gong-go) is a formal noun that translates most accurately to 'public notice' or 'official announcement.' Derived from the Hanja characters 公 (Gong - Public) and 告 (Go - Tell/Announce), it carries a weight of authority and formality that differentiates it from casual notifications. In South Korean society, where administrative precision is highly valued, 공고 serves as the primary vehicle for disseminating essential information from institutions to the public or specific groups.

Administrative Context: When a government body or a local municipality needs to inform citizens about a new law, a change in zoning, or an upcoming public hearing, they issue a 공고. This ensures that the information is legally 'served' to the public.
Corporate and Employment Context: One of the most common ways learners encounter this word is in the phrase 채용 공고 (Chae-yong Gong-go), which means 'job recruitment notice.' Companies post these on their websites or job portals to formally announce openings and the requirements for applicants.
Educational Context: Universities use 공고 to announce admission results, scholarship opportunities, or changes to the academic calendar. It implies that the information is final and official.

시청 홈페이지에 새로운 채용 공고가 올라왔습니다. (A new recruitment notice has been posted on the city hall website.)

Understanding 공고 requires recognizing its 'broadcast' nature. Unlike a 통지 (Tong-ji), which is often a private notice sent to an individual, a 공고 is intended for everyone within a certain group to see. It is usually posted in a physical location like a bulletin board (게시판) or a digital space like an official website's notice section.

입찰 공고 내용을 자세히 확인하시기 바랍니다. (Please check the details of the bid announcement carefully.)

Common Collocations

공고를 내다: To issue/post an announcement.
공고를 붙이다: To stick/post a notice (physically).
공고문: The written document of the announcement.

In summary, 공고 is the cornerstone of formal communication in Korea. Whether you are looking for a job, waiting for exam results, or checking for government updates, you are looking for a 공고. It represents the transition of information from a private decision to a public record, making it an essential term for anyone navigating professional or academic life in Korea.

Using 공고 (Gong-go) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its transformation into a verb. In most cases, it functions as the object of an action or the subject of a state. Because it is a formal word, the sentences surrounding it often utilize polite or formal speech levels (하십시오체 or 해요체).

As a Noun with Support Verbs: The most common way to use 공고 is with verbs like 하다 (to do), 내다 (to put out), or 게시하다 (to post).
Example: 정부는 새로운 정책을 공고했다. (The government announced the new policy.)

아파트 게시판에 주차 관리 공고가 붙어 있어요. (A parking management notice is posted on the apartment bulletin board.)

When you want to say 'according to the announcement,' you use the pattern 공고에 따르면. This is very common in news reporting and formal discussions. For instance, 'According to the recruitment notice, the deadline is tomorrow' would be 채용 공고에 따르면 마감일은 내일입니다.

시험 합격자 공고는 언제 나와요? (When will the announcement of the exam passers be released?)

You will often see 공고 combined with other nouns to create compound words. These compounds specify what the announcement is about. Some frequent combinations include:

모집 공고 (Mo-jip Gong-go): Recruitment/collection notice.
입찰 공고 (Ip-chal Gong-go): Public tender/bid notice.
분양 공고 (Bun-yang Gong-go): Real estate sales notice.
공고 기간 (Gong-go Gi-gan): Announcement period.

Sentence Structure Examples: 1. [Subject] + [공고를] + [확인하다]: 학생들이 공고를 확인하고 있어요. (Students are checking the notice.)
2. [Subject] + [공고에] + [나와 있다]: 자세한 내용은 공고에 나와 있습니다. (The details are provided in the announcement.)

In a professional setting, if you are asked to draft a notice, you would be working on a 공고문 (Gong-go-mun). The verb 공고되다 is the passive form, used when the announcement is the subject of the sentence: 그 소식은 이미 공고되었습니다 (That news has already been announced/posted).

In South Korea, 공고 (Gong-go) is a word that echoes through the halls of bureaucracy, academia, and corporate life. While you might not hear it in a casual coffee shop conversation between friends, it is ubiquitous in any environment where formal information is exchanged.

At the Workplace: If you work in a Korean office, you will hear this during morning meetings or via internal emails. A manager might say, 'Did you see the 공고 regarding the holiday schedule?' or 'We need to put out a 공고 for the new internship program.'
In Residential Areas: Living in a Korean apartment complex (아파트) means seeing 공고 every day. The elevators often have digital screens or paper notices labeled 관리사무소 공고 (Management Office Notice), informing residents about elevator maintenance, water shut-offs, or community events.

방송: "관리사무소에서 알려드립니다. 내일 정전 관련 공고를 확인해 주시기 바랍니다." (Announcement: "This is the management office. Please check the notice regarding tomorrow's power outage.")

On the news, 공고 is used when the government makes official declarations. For example, during a public health crisis, the Ministry of Health might issue a 공고 regarding new quarantine guidelines. You will hear news anchors use the phrase 공고되었습니다 (it has been announced) to signal that the information is now official law or regulation.

지하철역 게시판에 채용 공고가 많이 붙어 있네요. (There are many recruitment notices posted on the subway station bulletin board.)

Finally, in the world of finance and law, 공고 is used for legal notices such as bankruptcy filings, mergers, or public auctions. If you are watching a K-drama involving a legal battle or a corporate takeover, listen for the word 공고 when characters discuss publicizing a legal move to the shareholders or the general public.

While 공고 (Gong-go) is a straightforward word, English speakers often stumble over its specific register and its similarity to other 'announcement' words in Korean. Understanding these nuances is key to sounding natural.

Mistake 1: Confusing 공고 with 광고 (Gwang-go): This is the most frequent error due to the similar sound. 광고 means 'advertisement' (commercial). If you say you saw a 'job advertisement' as 채용 광고, it's not technically wrong, but 채용 공고 is the standard professional term. Using 공고 for a TV commercial about fried chicken, however, would be very strange.
Mistake 2: Overusing it in Casual Contexts: If you are telling your friends that you are having a party, do not say 'I am making a 공고.' This sounds like you are an official government entity. Use 말하다 (to tell) or 알리다 (to inform/let know) instead.

❌ 친구들에게 파티 공고를 했어요.
✅ 친구들에게 파티한다고 말했어요.

Another subtle mistake is the confusion between 공고 and 공지 (Gong-ji). While they overlap, 공지 is more common for internal notices (like a school class notice), whereas 공고 is for external, official, or legal announcements. If a university announces a new major to the whole world, it's a 공고. If a professor tells their students the exam is moved, it's a 공지.

❌ 어제 본 공고 상품이 좋네요. (The product in the notice I saw yesterday is good.)
✅ 어제 본 광고 상품이 좋네요. (The product in the ad I saw yesterday is good.)

Finally, remember that 공고 is a noun. When using it as a verb, beginners often forget the 하다 or use the wrong particle. It should be 공고를 하다 or 공고하다. Avoid saying 공고이다 when you mean 'to announce'; 공고이다 means 'it is an announcement.'

To truly master 공고 (Gong-go), you must be able to distinguish it from its synonyms. Korean has a rich vocabulary for 'announcing' and 'notifying,' each with a specific flavor and level of formality.

공고 (Gong-go) vs. 공지 (Gong-ji): As mentioned, 공고 is the most formal and often public. 공지 is used for general notices within an organization. Think of 공고 as a 'Public Proclamation' and 공지 as a 'Notice/Announcement' on a company intranet.
공고 (Gong-go) vs. 발표 (Bal-pyo): 발표 means 'presentation' or 'release.' While 공고 is the static notice, 발표 is the act of making the information known, often through a speech or a press release. You 발표 (announce) the results that are then written in a 공고 (notice).
공고 (Gong-go) vs. 통보 (Tong-bo): 통보 is a 'notification' or 'report.' It is usually directed at a specific person or party. If a company tells you that you didn't get the job, it's a 통보. The public listing of all open positions was the 공고.

비교:
1. 채용 공고 (Public job notice)
2. 합격 발표 (Announcement of the winners)
3. 불합격 통보 (Individual notification of failure)

Other alternatives include:

안내 (An-nae): Guidance or information. Less formal, used for 'How-to' info or directions.
고시 (Go-si): An official government notification that has legal force. Even more formal than 공고.
선언 (Seon-eon): A declaration or manifesto. Used for big political or social statements (e.g., Declaration of Independence).

In summary, choose 공고 when the context is official, public, and documented. Use 광고 for selling, 공지 for informing a group, and 통보 for direct, often one-way, communication to an individual.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 告 (Go) depicts a mouth (口) and a cow (牛), which originally referred to a ritual announcement to the gods involving a sacrifice.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kōŋɡo

US kɔŋɡoʊ

The stress is balanced, but the first syllable '공' (gong) is slightly emphasized in formal speech.

Rhymes With

창고 (chang-go) - warehouse 광고 (gwang-go) - advertisement 원고 (won-go) - manuscript 권고 (gwon-go) - recommendation 피고 (pi-go) - defendant 사고 (sa-go) - accident 재고 (jae-go) - inventory 최고 (choe-go) - best

Common Errors

Pronouncing '공' like 'gang'. It should be 'gong'.
Pronouncing '고' like 'gu'. It should be 'go'.
Confusing the pitch with '광고' (gwang-go).
Mixing up the 'o' sound with the 'u' sound (공구 - tools).
Softening the 'ng' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize on boards, but the content of the notice can be difficult due to formal language.

Writing 4/5

Drafting a formal 공고문 requires knowledge of specific administrative vocabulary.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to use in simple sentences like 'I saw the notice'.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in announcements, though sometimes spoken quickly in public transport.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

말하다 알리다 종이 학교 회사

Learn Next

공지 광고 게시판 신청 모집

Advanced

고시 의무화 행정처분 공람 효력

Grammar to Know

-에 따르면 (According to)

공고에 따르면 내일부터 공사가 시작됩니다.

Passive -되다 (To be ...ed)

새로운 규칙이 공고되었습니다.

-기 위해 (In order to)

정보를 알리기 위해 공고를 냈습니다.

-ㄴ/은 후 (After doing)

공고를 읽은 후 지원하세요.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (Can/Possibility)

홈페이지에서 공고를 볼 수 있습니다.

Examples by Level

공고를 보세요.

Look at the notice.

Basic imperative form (-세요).

이것은 학교 공고입니다.

This is a school notice.

Identification sentence using -입니다.

공고가 어디에 있어요?

Where is the notice?

Question form using '어디에 있어요?'

게시판에 공고가 있어요.

There is a notice on the bulletin board.

Existence pattern '에 ...가 있어요.'

새 공고가 나왔어요.

A new notice came out.

Past tense verb '나왔어요'.

공고를 읽으세요.

Please read the notice.

Polite request form.

공고가 작아요.

The notice is small.

Adjective usage.

공고 내용을 몰라요.

I don't know the content of the notice.

Negative verb '몰라요'.

아파트 게시판에서 공고를 봤어요.

I saw the notice on the apartment bulletin board.

Location particle -에서.

내일 공고가 날 거예요.

The notice will be released tomorrow.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

중요한 공고가 붙어 있습니다.

An important notice is posted.

State of being -아/어 있다.

채용 공고를 확인해 보세요.

Please check the recruitment notice.

Try doing something -아/어 보세요.

공고를 보고 전화했어요.

I saw the notice and called.

Connecting particle -고.

이 공고는 가짜가 아니에요.

This notice is not fake.

Negative identification -가/이 아니에요.

모집 공고가 아직 안 나왔어요.

The recruitment notice hasn't come out yet.

Negative adverb '안'.

공고를 다시 확인합시다.

Let's check the notice again.

Suggestive form -읍시다.

홈페이지에 채용 공고가 게시되었습니다.

The job recruitment notice has been posted on the website.

Passive verb '게시되었습니다'.

공고에 따르면 마감일은 이번 주 금요일입니다.

According to the notice, the deadline is this Friday.

Pattern '-에 따르면' (according to).

회사에서 새로운 프로젝트 공고를 냈어요.

The company put out a notice for a new project.

Expression '공고를 내다'.

공고문을 자세히 읽어 보는 것이 좋겠습니다.

It would be good to read the notice document carefully.

Suggestive ending '-는 것이 좋겠습니다'.

시험 공고가 나면 바로 알려 드릴게요.

I will let you know as soon as the exam notice is out.

Conditional '-면' and future promise '-ㄹ게요'.

그 공고는 모든 직원에게 해당됩니다.

That notice applies to all employees.

Verb '해당되다' (to apply/correspond).

공고 내용을 수정해야 할 것 같아요.

I think we need to revise the notice content.

Conjecture '-ㄴ 것 같아요' and necessity '-해야 하다'.

어제 신문에서 그 공고를 봤습니다.

I saw that notice in the newspaper yesterday.

Past tense formal polite '-습니다'.

정부는 신도시 건설 계획을 공식 공고했습니다.

The government officially announced the new city construction plan.

Adverb '공식' (officially) + 공고하다.

입찰 공고가 마감되기 전에 서류를 제출하세요.

Submit the documents before the bid notice closes.

Time clause '-기 전에' (before).

공고 기간 동안 이의를 제기할 수 있습니다.

You can file an objection during the announcement period.

Duration '- 동안' and ability '-ㄹ 수 있다'.

이번 공고는 법적 효력이 발생한 이후에 적용됩니다.

This notice applies after it takes legal effect.

Noun '효력' (effect) and time clause '-ㄴ 이후에'.

분양 공고를 통해 아파트 가격을 확인했습니다.

I checked the apartment prices through the sales notice.

Method '-를 통해' (through).

공고된 내용과 실제 조건이 다를 수 있습니다.

The announced content and actual conditions may differ.

Modifier form '공고된' (which was announced).

관리사무소는 주차장 보수 공사를 공고했다.

The management office announced the parking lot repair work.

Plain style '-었다' (used in writing).

합격자 명단은 내일 오전 10시에 공고될 예정입니다.

The list of successful candidates is scheduled to be announced at 10 AM tomorrow.

Future schedule '-ㄹ 예정입니다'.

행정 절차법에 따라 해당 사업의 공고가 의무화되었습니다.

According to the Administrative Procedure Act, the announcement of the project has been made mandatory.

Formal cause/reason '-에 따라' and passivization '-화되다'.

공고의 목적은 대중에게 투명한 정보를 제공하는 데 있습니다.

The purpose of the notice lies in providing transparent information to the public.

Pattern '-는 데(에) 있다' (lies in/consists of).

기업은 합병 사실을 주주들에게 공고할 의무가 있습니다.

The company has an obligation to announce the merger to its shareholders.

Noun '의무' (obligation) + '-ㄹ 의무가 있다'.

공고문 초안을 작성한 후 법무팀의 검토를 받으십시오.

After drafting the notice, please have it reviewed by the legal team.

Sequence '-ㄴ 후' and formal imperative '-십시오'.

이번 공고는 기존의 관례를 깨는 파격적인 내용을 담고 있다.

This announcement contains unconventional content that breaks existing customs.

Relative clause and progressive state '-고 있다'.

공고가 누락될 경우 법적 분쟁의 소지가 있습니다.

If the notice is omitted, there is a possibility of legal disputes.

Condition '-ㄹ 경우' and idiom '소지가 있다' (possibility/grounds).

정부는 긴급 공고를 통해 방역 수칙을 강화했습니다.

The government strengthened quarantine rules through an emergency notice.

Method '-를 통해' and past tense '-었습니다'.

공고의 효력 발생 시점은 게시일로부터 7일 후입니다.

The time the notice takes effect is seven days after the posting date.

Starting point '-로부터'.

공고와 고시는 행정 행위의 대외적 표시로서 중요한 법적 의미를 지닙니다.

Public notice and official notification hold significant legal meaning as external manifestations of administrative acts.

As a/in the capacity of '-로서' and verb '지니다' (to possess).

해당 지자체는 공고 절차상의 하자를 이유로 행정 처분을 취소했다.

The local government canceled the administrative disposition due to flaws in the announcement process.

Reasoning pattern '-를 이유로'.

정보의 비대칭성을 해소하기 위해 공고 제도의 개선이 시급합니다.

To resolve information asymmetry, improvement of the public notice system is urgent.

Purpose '-기 위해' and adjective '시급하다' (urgent).

공고는 불특정 다수인을 대상으로 하므로 전달의 명확성이 요구됩니다.

Since public notices target an unspecified large number of people, clarity of delivery is required.

Reason/cause '-므로' (formal).

전자 공고 제도의 도입으로 행정 효율성이 비약적으로 향상되었습니다.

With the introduction of the electronic notice system, administrative efficiency has improved dramatically.

Causation '-으로' and adverb '비약적으로' (leaping/dramatically).

관보에 게재된 공고는 국가의 공식적인 의사 표현으로 간주됩니다.

Announcements published in the Official Gazette are considered official expressions of the state's will.

Passive construction '-로 간주됩니다' (is considered as).

공고의 내용이 상위 법령에 위배될 경우 무효화될 수 있습니다.

If the content of the announcement violates superior laws, it can be invalidated.

Verb '위배되다' (to violate/contradict).

현대 행정에서 공고는 단순한 정보 전달을 넘어 국민의 알 권리를 보장하는 수단입니다.

In modern administration, public notice goes beyond simple information delivery and is a means of guaranteeing the people's right to know.

Comparison '-를 넘어' (beyond).

Common Collocations

공고를 내다

공고가 나다

채용 공고

입찰 공고

공고를 확인하다

공고를 붙이다

공고 기간

공식 공고

공고문

분양 공고

Common Phrases

공고를 통해

— Through the announcement. Used to describe how information was received.

공고를 통해 합격 사실을 알았습니다.

공고에 따르면

— According to the notice. Used when citing information from an announcement.

공고에 따르면 접수 기간은 일주일입니다.

공고된 바와 같이

— As announced/posted. Used in formal follow-up communication.

이미 공고된 바와 같이 행사는 취소되었습니다.

긴급 공고

— Emergency notice. Used for urgent information that needs immediate attention.

태풍으로 인해 긴급 공고가 내려졌습니다.

수정 공고

— Revised notice. Used when a previous announcement contained errors.

일정이 변경되어 수정 공고를 올렸습니다.

합격자 공고

— Announcement of successful candidates. Very common in exams and jobs.

합격자 공고는 홈페이지에서 확인 가능합니다.

모집 공고

— Recruitment or collection notice. Used for hiring or gathering items/people.

장학생 모집 공고를 보셨나요?

공고를 띄우다

— To post an announcement (digitally). Common slang-ish office term.

홈페이지 메인에 공고를 띄워 주세요.

공고 사항

— Matters to be announced. Formal heading in documents.

다음은 이번 달 공고 사항입니다.

사전 공고

— Advance notice. Announcement made before the main event or official notice.

시험 범위에 대한 사전 공고가 있었습니다.

Often Confused With

공고 vs 광고

광고 is commercial 'advertisement' meant to sell. 공고 is 'public notice' meant to inform.

공고 vs 공구

공구 means 'tools' or 'group buying.' The pronunciation is similar but the meaning is totally different.

공고 vs 공고 (School)

Short for '공업고등학교' (Technical High School). Use context to distinguish.

Idioms & Expressions

"공고를 내걸다"

— To hang up or display a notice prominently. Implies a bold or very visible announcement.

가게 앞에 대규모 세일 공고를 내걸었다.

Neutral

"공고가 떴다"

— A notice has 'popped up' or appeared. Very common in online contexts.

드디어 원하던 회사의 채용 공고가 떴어!

Informal

"공고를 씹다"

— To ignore a notice (literally 'to chew'). Very informal and slightly rude.

그는 관리사무소 공고를 그냥 씹어 버렸다.

Slang

"공고로 못을 박다"

— To finalize something by making a public notice (literally 'to drive a nail').

회사는 해고 통보를 공고로 못을 박았다.

Metaphorical

"공고가 내려오다"

— A notice has been issued from a higher authority (descended).

본사에서 지침 공고가 내려왔습니다.

Business

"공고를 훑다"

— To skim through a notice quickly.

시간이 없어서 공고를 대충 훑어봤어요.

Neutral

"공고를 어기다"

— To violate the rules stated in a public notice.

공고를 어길 시 벌금이 부과될 수 있습니다.

Formal

"공고를 붙잡고 있다"

— To stare at or focus intensely on a notice (usually waiting for results).

그녀는 하루 종일 합격자 공고를 붙잡고 있었다.

Informal

"공고가 말해주다"

— The notice 'tells' the story (implies the facts are clear in the notice).

그의 무능함은 이번 인사 공고가 말해준다.

Literary

"공고를 돌리다"

— To circulate a notice among people.

반장은 학생들에게 공고를 돌렸다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

공고 vs 공지

Both mean notice.

공지 is for internal/general info. 공고 is for official/public/legal info.

반톡방에 공지를 올렸어. (Internal) vs. 시청에서 공고를 냈어. (Public)

공고 vs 통보

Both involve telling information.

통보 is usually to a specific person. 공고 is to everyone.

합격 통보를 받았어. (Personal) vs. 채용 공고가 났어. (Public)

공고 vs 발표

Both mean making something known.

발표 is the act of speaking or releasing. 공고 is the static notice itself.

결과 발표를 들었어. (Action) vs. 공고문을 읽었어. (Document)

공고 vs 안내

Both give information.

안내 is helpful guidance. 공고 is an authoritative notice.

이용 안내를 보세요. (Helpful) vs. 입찰 공고를 보세요. (Formal/Required)

공고 vs 보고

Both involve information transfer.

보고 is 'reporting' to a superior. 공고 is 'announcing' to the public.

상사에게 보고했어요. (Upward) vs. 대중에게 공고했어요. (Outward)

Sentence Patterns

이것은 [Noun] 공고입니다.

이것은 학교 공고입니다.

[Place]에 공고가 있어요.

게시판에 공고가 있어요.

공고에 따르면 [Sentence].

공고에 따르면 마감은 내일입니다.

공고를 [Verb]-아/어 보세요.

공고를 확인해 보세요.

[Noun]을/를 위해 공고를 냈다.

직원 모집을 위해 공고를 냈다.

공고된 바와 같이 [Sentence].

공고된 바와 같이 행사는 취소되었습니다.

[Noun]은/는 공고의 의무가 있다.

기업은 합병 사실을 공고할 의무가 있다.

공고 절차상의 [Noun] 때문에 [Sentence].

공고 절차상의 하자 때문에 처분이 취소되었다.

Word Family

Nouns

공고문 (official notice document)

공고안 (draft of an announcement)

공고자 (announcer/issuer of notice)

공고료 (fee for posting a notice)

Verbs

공고하다 (to announce publicly)

공고되다 (to be announced publicly)

공지 (notice)

광고 (advertisement)

고시 (official notification)

통보 (notification)

게시 (posting)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and administrative settings.

Common Mistakes

Using '공고' for personal news. → 말하다, 알리다
You don't '공고' that you got a new puppy. That's too formal. Use '말하다' (to say).
Confusing '공고' with '광고'. → 채용 공고 (Notice) vs. 제품 광고 (Ad)
They sound similar, but '광고' is for selling things, and '공고' is for official news.
Using '공고' as an adjective without '된'. → 공고된 내용
You can't just say '공고 내용' always; if you mean 'the content that was announced', use the modifier form '공고된'.
Pronouncing it like 'Gong-gu'. → 공고 (Gong-go)
'공구' means tools. Make sure to use the 'o' sound for both syllables.
Forgetting '하다' in verb form. → 공고하다
Since it's a noun, you must add '하다' to use it as an action.

Tips

Learn the Hanja

Remember 公 (Public) + 告 (Tell). If you see these characters together, it's always something related to public information.

Use it in the Office

If you are in a Korean workplace, use '공고' when referring to official company-wide changes to sound more professional.

Don't say 'Gwang-go'

Be careful with '광고' (Ad). If you say you saw a 'Job Ad' as '채용 광고', people understand, but '채용 공고' is better.

According to...

Master the phrase '공고에 따르면'. It's a great way to start a sentence when explaining rules or schedules you read.

Check the Elevator

If you live in Korea, try reading the '공고' in your elevator every day. It's great reading practice for formal Korean.

The Cow and the Mouth

Remember the Hanja 告 (Go) has a cow and a mouth. Imagine someone shouting to a cow (or about a sacrifice) to remember 'to tell/announce'.

Look for the Box

Official '공고' are often inside a box with a thick border on websites. This visual cue helps you find them quickly.

Passive Voice

Use '공고되었습니다' when writing reports to focus on the fact that the announcement was made, rather than who made it.

Public Transport

Listen for '공고' in subway announcements. It usually follows a chime or an 'Attention' phrase.

Synonym Check

Ask yourself: 'Is this for everyone (공고) or just my group (공지)?' to choose the right word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Gong' being hit to make a 'Go' (announcement). When the 'Gong' goes off, everyone hears the 'Notice'.

Visual Association

Imagine a large, official paper pinned to a wooden board with the word 'NOTICE' in big letters at the top.

Word Web

Public Official Paper Bulletin Board Job Government Information Broadcast

Challenge

Write down three things you might see on an 'apartment 공고' in Korea (e.g., trash day, noise rules, elevator repair).

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) characters 公告.

Original meaning: 公 (Gong) means 'public' or 'official', and 告 (Go) means 'to tell', 'to inform', or 'to announce'.

Sino-Korean (Han-eo).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to confuse '공고' (Notice) with '공고' (Technical High School - 工业高校), which is a common abbreviation in Korea. Context is key.

In English-speaking countries, 'Notice' or 'Announcement' is used similarly, but 'Public Notice' in English often feels more legalistic or related to local government than the everyday '공고' in Korea.

The 'Gwanbo' (Official Gazette) is the ultimate source of Korean government 공고. Job portals like Saramin or JobKorea are essentially giant databases of 채용 공고. In the movie 'Parasite', the absence of certain notices or the way information is communicated reflects class differences.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Searching for a job

채용 공고를 찾다
공고 마감일
지원 자격
우대 사항

Living in an apartment

관리비 공고
엘리베이터 공고
소음 주의 공고
단수 공고

At University

성적 공고
장학금 모집 공고
수강 신청 공고
휴강 공고

Government/Legal

법령 공고
입찰 공고
공청회 공고
파산 공고

Subway/Public Transport

공사 공고
운행 변경 공고
유실물 공고
안전 공고

Conversation Starters

"혹시 이번 채용 공고 보셨어요?"

"아파트 게시판에 무슨 공고가 붙어 있던데, 보셨나요?"

"시험 공고가 언제 날까요?"

"공고 내용이 너무 복잡해서 잘 모르겠어요."

"이 공고 어디에서 확인할 수 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 본 가장 인상 깊은 공고에 대해 써 보세요.

내가 만약 회사를 만든다면 어떤 채용 공고를 낼지 적어 보세요.

공고가 없는 세상은 어떨지 상상해서 써 보세요.

학교나 직장에서 공고를 확인하지 않아 곤란했던 경험이 있나요?

최근 정부 공고 중에서 관심 있는 주제가 무엇인지 설명해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it is more formal. In English, 'Notice' can be casual (like 'Notice: No shoes allowed'). In Korean, '공고' is usually for official things like government laws or job postings. For casual things, '공지' or '알림' is better.

Usually, no. If you post on Instagram about your birthday, calling it a '공고' would sound like a joke, as if you are a king or a government. Use '알림' or just say what's happening.

It is a 'Job Recruitment Notice.' It is the most common phrase using this word. When companies want to hire people, they post a '채용 공고' on their website.

You can say '공고를 내다' (to put out a notice), '공고를 게시하다' (to post a notice - formal), or '공고를 붙이다' (to stick/post a notice physically).

'공시' (Public Disclosure) is a very specific legal/financial term, often used for stock market disclosures. '공고' is more general and used for any public administrative notice.

It is primarily a noun. However, you can make it a verb by adding '하다' (공고하다 - to announce) or '되다' (공고되다 - to be announced).

Apartment management offices use it to inform residents about important things like cleaning schedules, water shut-offs, or safety rules. It makes the information official for all residents.

Yes, as an abbreviation for '공업고등학교' (Technical High School). If someone says '저는 공고에 다녀요', they mean they attend a technical high school, not that they live in an announcement.

Yes, it is a standard administrative term in both North and South Korea, though the specific types of announcements might differ.

It means the 'Announcement Period.' This is the time during which the notice is valid or during which people can apply for whatever was announced.