Meaning
航空 refers to the field of aviation, air travel, and flying. It encompasses everything related to aircraft operations, airlines, and flight. The term combines 'navigate/sail' (航) with 'air/sky' (空), literally meaning 'navigating through the air.'
Usage
Commonly used in formal and technical contexts related to air transportation, airlines, and the aviation industry. Often appears as a modifier before other nouns (航空公司 'airline', 航空业 'aviation industry'). Less commonly used in casual everyday conversation unless discussing travel or the airline industry specifically.
Examples
- 01他在一家航空公司工作。.He works at an airline company.
- 02航空业受到了疫情的严重影响。.The aviation industry has been severely affected by the pandemic.
Characters
Common collocations
- 航空公司airline company
- 航空业aviation industry
- 航空母舰aircraft carrier
- 中国航空Air China
Origin
The term emerged in modern Chinese to describe the new field of air travel and aviation. 航 originally referred to boat navigation, but was extended to air navigation when aircraft were invented.