Translation and Meaning of: 空港 - kuukou
The Japanese word 空港[くうこう] is essential for anyone traveling or studying the language. It represents a familiar place in any country but carries interesting particularities in the Japanese language and culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even tips for memorizing this term effectively. If you have ever been to an airport in Japan or plan to visit the country, understanding 空港 goes beyond basic vocabulary.
Meaning and origin of 空港
空港 means "airport" in Japanese, composed of the kanji 空 (sky/empty) and 港 (port). The combination of these ideograms creates a clear image: a "port in the sky," reflecting the function of the place. This logical construction is common in Japanese, where everyday terms often arise from the union of kanji with literal meanings.
The use of 空港 has become standard in Japan since the 20th century, with the popularization of commercial aviation. Before that, terms like 飛行場 (landing field) were more common. The adoption of 空港 accompanied the modernization of the country and today it is the universal term to refer to airports, from small regional ones to giants like Narita or Haneda.
Everyday and cultural use
In Japan, 空港 is not just a transit location, but often a space that reflects the local culture. Airports like Kansai or Chubu incorporate traditional architecture and services that showcase aspects of the region. When a Japanese person says "空港まで迎えに行きます" (I will pick you up at the airport), they are including all of this implicit context of hospitality.
Unlike some languages, Japanese rarely uses abbreviations for 空港 in formal situations. While in Portuguese we say "aero" informally, the Japanese maintain the complete word even in casual conversations. This preference for the full form reflects the value placed on clarity in everyday communication.
Tips for memorizing 空港
An effective way to remember 空港 is to associate its kanjis with concrete images. Visualize 空 (sky) as the space where airplanes fly and 港 (port) as the place where they "dock." This mental association technique is supported by studies on language learning, such as those by researcher James Heisig.
Another practical tip is to connect くうこう to the sound of airplanes taking off - the "kuu" can remind you of the noise of the turbines. This phonetic approach, combined with the visualization of the kanjis, creates multiple mental connections to reinforce memorization, a method recommended by experts in second language acquisition.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 飛行場 (Hikōjō) - Airfield, a place where aircraft can land and take off.
- エアポート (Eapōto) - Term in English, commonly used to refer to airport in a more general context.
- エアターミナル (Eātāminaru) - Airport terminal, specifically the building where passengers board and disembark.
- 空港施設 (Kūkō shisetsu) - Airport facilities, encompassing all the services and structures of an airport.
Romaji: kuukou
Kana: くうこう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: airport
Meaning in English: airport
Definition: An installation where aircraft take off and land.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (空港) kuukou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (空港) kuukou:
Example Sentences - (空港) kuukou
See below some example sentences:
Takushii de kuukou ni ikimasu
I go to the airport by taxi.
Go to the airport by taxi.
- タクシー (takushii) - Táxi
- で (de) - by means of, using
- 空港 (kuukou) - airport
- に (ni) - towards, towards
- 行きます (ikimasu) - Go
Kanojo wa kuukou de watashi wo demukae te kureta
She received me at the airport.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 空港 (kūkō) - airport
- で (de) - Location particle
- 私 (watashi) - I
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 出迎えてくれた (demukaetekureta) - received me
Kanojo wa kuukou de watashi wo demukaeru yotei desu
She has plans to meet me at the airport.
She will meet me at the airport.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - she
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 空港 (kūkō) - airport
- で (de) - Location particle
- 私 (watashi) - I
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 出迎える (demukaeru) - receive, find
- 予定 (yotei) - plan, schedule
- です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kanojo wo kuukou made miokutta
I accompanied her to the airport.
I saw her at the airport.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
- を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
- 空港 (kuukou) - It means "airport" in Japanese.
- まで (made) - particle that indicates a limit or endpoint in Japanese
- 見送った (miokutta) - verb that means "to accompany to the exit" in Japanese, in the past
Kuukou ni wa takusan no hito ga imasu
There are many people at the airport.
- 空港 (kūkō) - airport
- に (ni) - particle indicating location
- は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- たくさん (takusan) - many
- の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
- 人 (hito) - people
- が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- います (imasu) - verb that indicates the existence of something or someone
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
