kph

kph — abbreviation

1. a written unit of speed that shows how many kilometres a vehicle, person, or nat

1.abbreviationA2
Definition

a written unit of speed that shows how many kilometres a vehicle, person, or natural force travels in one hour

Example

The speed limit on this highway is 110 kph.

collocation: speed limit + [number] + kph

Sumin was driving at about 90 kph when the rain started.

collocation: at [number] + kph

Common collocations
  • speed limit [number] kph
  • [number] kph wind
  • [number] kph wind
  • at [number] kph
  • reach [number] kph
  • top speed of [number] kph
Synonyms
  • km/h

    the international standard abbreviation for the same unit; more common in scientific and formal contexts than kph

Antonyms
  • mph

    miles per hour; the equivalent unit used in the US, UK, and a few other countries

Grammar Patterns

[number] + kph

Usage Note

Always written after a number with no space or joined by a space. Common in driving regulations, weather reports, and vehicle specifications. The full form 'kilometres per hour' is used in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

The car was going 120 kph per hour.
The car was going 120 kph.
The 'ph' in 'kph' already means 'per hour', so adding 'per hour' is redundant.
My running speed is 8 kph per hour.
My running speed is 8 kph.
Same redundancy; the unit already includes 'per hour'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

Kph and km/h refer to exactly the same unit — kilometres per hour — but km/h is the international standard symbol used on road signs and in scientific writing, while kph is a written abbreviation more common in informal or learner contexts. Mph (miles per hour) is a different unit used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few other countries. One mile is about 1.6 kilometres, so 100 kph is roughly 62 mph. When reading road signs abroad, knowing the local unit helps you avoid speeding fines. For everyday driving in Taiwan, kph (or 公里/時) is the standard.

kph ↗km/hmph ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • speed limit
  • top speed
  • average speed
  • wind speed

Phrases

  • [number] kph
  • kph winds

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Kph is an abbreviation of 'kilometres per hour'. 'Kilo-' comes from the Greek word chilioi (χίλιοι), meaning 'thousand'. 'Metre' goes back through French to the Greek metron (μέτρον), meaning 'measure'. 'Per' comes from Latin, and 'hour' traces back through Old French to the Latin hora, from Greek hōra (ὥρα), meaning 'time' or 'season'. The abbreviation kph became widely used in the 20th century as road travel and vehicle speed measurement became common worldwide.