航空

• Pinyin: háng kōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 航 = 舟 (boat) + 亢 (high, phonetic) — to navigate; 空 = 穴 (cave) + 工 (work) — the open sky above

Meaning

Aviation; air travel; aerospace. Relating to the flying or operation of aircraft.

Commonly appears in compound words like 航空公司 (airline), 中国国际航空 (Air China), 航空业 (aviation industry), and 航空航天 (aerospace). Used both as a noun and an attributive modifier. Frequently seen on tickets, in travel contexts, and in news about the airline industry.

Examples

1. 他在一家航空公司当飞行员。 He works as a pilot at an airline.
2. 这封信是通过航空邮件寄来的。 This letter was sent by airmail.
3. 中国的航空业发展得非常快。 China's aviation industry has developed very rapidly.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, industry, transportation

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 你知道哪家航空公司的服务最好吗？(Do you know which airline has the best service?)
• 航空技术越来越先进了。(Aviation technology is becoming more and more advanced.)

Don't Say

• 我坐航空去北京 (Don't use 航空 alone as a means of transport — say 坐飞机; 航空 is used as a modifier, not a standalone transport word)

Origin & History

航 (háng, to navigate) + 空 (kōng, sky/air) — literally 'navigating the sky,' meaning air travel or aviation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal