Level 4

홍수

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '홍수' (hongsu) specifically refers to a flood or inundation caused by excessive water, usually from heavy rain or overflowing rivers. It is a common noun used in both everyday conversation and news reports.

Common Contexts

You will often hear '홍수' in weather forecasts, disaster reports, and discussions about natural calamities. It can describe both the event itself and the resulting damage.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 홍수가 나다: to have a flood occur; used to describe the event happening.
  • 홍수 경보: flood warning; official alerts about potential flooding.
  • 홍수 피해: flood damage; referring to the harm caused by flooding.

Register and Usage Notes

'홍수' is a neutral term suitable for formal and informal contexts. It is not used metaphorically in casual speech but strictly for literal flooding. Learners sometimes confuse '홍수' with '물난리' which is more colloquial and can imply chaotic water damage.

Tips

When talking about floods, pairing '홍수' with verbs like '나다' (to occur) or nouns like '경보' (warning) will make your sentences sound natural and precise.

Example Sentences

지난주에 큰 홍수가 나서 많은 집이 물에 잠겼어요.

Jinanju-e keun hongsu-ga naseo manheun jip-i mul-e jamgyeosseoyo.

There was a big flood last week, and many houses were submerged.

홍수가 나면 도로가 막히고 교통이 혼란스러워져요.

Hongsu-ga namyeon doro-ga makhigo gyotong-i honransseureowojyeoyo.

When a flood occurs, roads get blocked and traffic becomes chaotic.

기상청은 이번 주에 홍수가 발생할 가능성이 있다고 경고했어요.

Gisangcheong-eun ibeon ju-e hongsu-ga balseonghal ganeungseong-i ittdago gyeonggohaesseoyo.

The weather agency warned that there is a possibility of floods this week.