폐기물
Unwanted or unusable materials that are discarded after use. It is the formal academic term for 'waste' or 'trash'.
Examples
3 of 5음식물 폐기물을 줄이기 위한 캠페인이 진행 중이다.
A campaign to reduce food waste is underway.
지정된 장소 외에 폐기물을 버리는 것은 불법입니다.
It is illegal to dump waste outside of designated areas.
이 폐기물들은 어떻게 처리해야 해?
How should we process this waste?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Pyegimul: Pyegi (discard/abolish) + Mul (thing/material).
Quick Quiz
공장에서 나오는 화학 ___은 엄격히 관리되어야 한다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 폐기물
Examples
음식물 폐기물을 줄이기 위한 캠페인이 진행 중이다.
everydayA campaign to reduce food waste is underway.
지정된 장소 외에 폐기물을 버리는 것은 불법입니다.
formalIt is illegal to dump waste outside of designated areas.
이 폐기물들은 어떻게 처리해야 해?
informalHow should we process this waste?
핵 폐기물 처리는 현대 과학의 어려운 과제 중 하나이다.
academicNuclear waste disposal is one of the difficult challenges of modern science.
폐기물 처리 비용을 절감하기 위한 대안을 찾고 있습니다.
businessWe are looking for alternatives to reduce waste disposal costs.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
폐기물 관리
waste management
방사성 폐기물
radioactive waste
건설 폐기물
construction waste
Often Confused With
쓰레기 is the common word for trash, while 폐기물 is the formal/technical term used in laws and science.
Usage Notes
Essential for IELTS Writing Task 2 when discussing environmental pollution and recycling.
Common Mistakes
Don't use '폐기물' to refer to a small piece of trash on the floor (use '쓰레기').
Memory Tip
Pyegimul: Pyegi (discard/abolish) + Mul (thing/material).
Word Origin
From Sino-Korean 廢 (to abandon), 棄 (to throw away), and 物 (thing).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Korea has a very strict 'waste separation' (분리수거) system for different types of 폐기물.
Quick Quiz
공장에서 나오는 화학 ___은 엄격히 관리되어야 한다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 폐기물
Related Vocabulary
More environment words
지속 가능하다
B2Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. In modern contexts, it often refers to environmental sustainability—conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
고갈되다
B2To be completely used up or exhausted, so that nothing remains. Often used for natural resources, funds, or human energy.
인위적
B2Not occurring naturally; created, caused, or influenced by human activity or intervention.
재생에너지
B2Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
대기오염
B2The presence in or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
재생가능하다
B2Able to be used again or replaced naturally so that it is never finished or used up; specifically referring to energy sources.
배출하다
B2To emit, discharge, or release substances (like gas or waste); also used metaphorically to produce talented people.
감축하다
B2To reduce or cut down the quantity, volume, or size of something, often used for budgets, personnel, or emissions.
배출
B2The act of sending out or releasing substances such as gas, heat, or waste into the environment. It is a critical term in discussions about climate change and pollution.
대기
B1The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet. It is essential for describing air pollution and environmental issues in IELTS.
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