미세먼지
Fine particulate matter in the air that is harmful to health. It is a major environmental and health topic in IELTS, especially regarding air quality and urban living.
Examples
3 of 5대기 중 미세먼지는 호흡기 질환의 주요 원인으로 지목된다.
Fine dust in the atmosphere is pointed out as a major cause of respiratory diseases.
정부는 미세먼지 저감을 위해 노후 경유차 운행을 제한하고 있습니다.
The government is restricting the operation of old diesel cars to reduce fine dust.
최근 미세먼지 때문에 공기 청정기 판매량이 급증했습니다.
Sales of air purifiers have soared recently due to fine dust.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Mi-se (Fine/Tiny) + Meon-ji (Dust). Tiny, tiny dust.
Quick Quiz
공장과 자동차에서 배출되는 매연은 ( )의 주요 발생원이다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 미세먼지
Examples
대기 중 미세먼지는 호흡기 질환의 주요 원인으로 지목된다.
academicFine dust in the atmosphere is pointed out as a major cause of respiratory diseases.
정부는 미세먼지 저감을 위해 노후 경유차 운행을 제한하고 있습니다.
formalThe government is restricting the operation of old diesel cars to reduce fine dust.
최근 미세먼지 때문에 공기 청정기 판매량이 급증했습니다.
businessSales of air purifiers have soared recently due to fine dust.
오늘 미세먼지가 너무 심해서 마스크를 꼭 써야겠어.
everydayThe fine dust is so bad today, I definitely need to wear a mask.
미세먼지 없는 맑은 하늘을 본 게 언제인지 모르겠네.
informalI don't know when I last saw a clear sky without fine dust.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
미세먼지가 심하다
fine dust is severe
미세먼지를 마시다
to breathe in fine dust
미세먼지 대책
fine dust measures
Often Confused With
Yellow dust (황사) is natural sand from deserts; 미세먼지 often includes man-made pollutants.
Usage Notes
Very relevant for IELTS Task 2 essays on urban problems or environmental protection.
Common Mistakes
Do not confuse with '먼지' (general dust). '미세먼지' specifically refers to the harmful atmospheric pollutant.
Memory Tip
Mi-se (Fine/Tiny) + Meon-ji (Dust). Tiny, tiny dust.
Word Origin
From Sino-Korean 微細 (fine/tiny) + native Korean 먼지 (dust).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Korea, checking the 'fine dust app' every morning is a common daily routine.
Quick Quiz
공장과 자동차에서 배출되는 매연은 ( )의 주요 발생원이다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 미세먼지
More environment words
환경오염
B1The process of making the air, water, or soil dirty and dangerous for living things.
지속가능성
B1The quality of being able to continue over a long period of time, especially without depleting natural resources.
지속가능하다
B1Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level, especially without depleting natural resources or damaging the environment.
오염
B1The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
방출하다
B1To release or emit substances like gas, light, heat, or energy into the outside world.
자연
B1The physical world including plants, animals, landscapes, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations.
기후
B1The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. This is a core word for IELTS Task 2 essays on global warming and nature.
식량
B1Food required for survival, especially in the context of supply, security, or resources for a population.
분리
B1The act of dividing or separating things that were combined or connected. It is frequently used in the context of waste management or scientific processes.
농업
B1The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil and the rearing of animals. It is often discussed in relation to food security and climate change.
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