Proper waste disposal is essential when living in or visiting Korea, and a key part of this is using the mandatory 종량제 봉투 (jong-ryang-je bong-tu), or volume-based waste bags. This guide provides the necessary Korean phrases and vocabulary to purchase these specific bags at convenience stores or supermarkets, ensuring you follow local regulations correctly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 종량제 봉투 구매하기
Pronunciation: jong-ryang-je bong-tu gu-mae-ha-gi
Meaning: Buying volume-based waste bags (The act of purchasing the specific bags required for trash disposal in Korea)
Asking for Waste Bags
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Expression: 종량제 봉투 있어요?
Pronunciation: jong-ryang-je bong-tu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have volume-based waste bags? -
Expression: 쓰레기 봉투 어디서 팔아요?
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi bong-tu eo-di-seo pa-ra-yo?
Meaning: Where do they sell trash bags? (Can be used generally) -
Expression: 종량제 봉투 주세요.
Pronunciation: jong-ryang-je bong-tu ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me volume-based waste bags. -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기 봉투 필요해요.
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi bong-tu pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need general waste bags. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투도 있어요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu-do iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you also have food waste bags? -
Expression: 여기서 종량제 봉투 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jong-ryang-je bong-tu sal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy volume-based waste bags here? -
Expression: 제일 작은 사이즈로 주세요.
Pronunciation: je-il jak-eun sa-i-jeu-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the smallest size. -
Expression: 이 동네 종량제 봉투 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i dong-ne jong-ryang-je bong-tu maj-a-yo?
Meaning: Are these the correct volume-based waste bags for this neighborhood? -
Expression: 종량제 봉투 파는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: jong-ryang-je bong-tu pa-neun gos-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the place that sells volume-based waste bags? -
Expression: 이거 일반 쓰레기용 맞죠?
Pronunciation: i-geo il-ban sseu-re-gi-yong maj-jyo?
Meaning: This is for general waste, right? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투는 다른 건가요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu-neun da-reun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are the food waste bags different? -
Expression: 봉투 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: bong-tu jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the bags.
Specifying Size and Type
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Expression: 10리터짜리 주세요.
Pronunciation: sip-ri-teo-jja-ri ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the 10-liter one. -
Expression: 20리터 봉투 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-sim-ni-teo bong-tu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have 20-liter bags? -
Expression: 제일 큰 사이즈는 몇 리터예요?
Pronunciation: je-il keun sa-i-jeu-neun myeot ri-teo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How many liters is the biggest size? -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기용 20리터 한 묶음 주세요.
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi-yong i-sim-ni-teo han muk-keum ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one pack of 20-liter general waste bags. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투 3리터짜리 있나요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu sam-ri-teo-jja-ri iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have 3-liter food waste bags? -
Expression: 5리터 봉투는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: o-ri-teo bong-tu-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much are the 5-liter bags? -
Expression: 이거 말고 다른 사이즈는 없어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mal-go da-reun sa-i-jeu-neun eops-eo-yo?
Meaning: Aren’t there any other sizes besides this one? -
Expression: 가장 많이 쓰는 사이즈가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang man-i sseu-neun sa-i-jeu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most commonly used size? -
Expression: 50리터 봉투도 판매하나요?
Pronunciation: o-sim-ni-teo bong-tu-do pan-mae-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also sell 50-liter bags? -
Expression: 종류별로 가격이 다른가요?
Pronunciation: jong-ryu-byeol-lo ga-gyeog-i da-reun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the price different for each type? -
Expression: 이 사이즈로 열 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: i sa-i-jeu-ro yeol jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me ten sheets of this size. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투 작은 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu jak-eun geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a small food waste bag.
Payment and Quantity
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 한 묶음에 몇 장 들어있어요?
Pronunciation: han muk-keum-e myeot jang deul-eo-iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: How many sheets are in one pack? -
Expression: 열 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeol jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me ten sheets. -
Expression: 스무 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: seu-mu jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me twenty sheets. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 봉투 값은 따로 내는 건가요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu gabs-eun tta-ro nae-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do I pay for the bags separately? (Usually included in the price) -
Expression: 총 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? -
Expression: 낱개로도 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: nat-gae-ro-do sal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy them individually (not in a pack)? -
Expression: 두 묶음 주세요.
Pronunciation: du muk-keum ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two packs. -
Expression: 잔돈 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jan-don yeo-gi iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the change. (Said by the cashier)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 종량제 봉투
Pronunciation: jong-ryang-je bong-tu
Meaning: Volume-based waste bag -
Expression: 쓰레기 봉투
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi bong-tu
Meaning: Trash bag -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi
Meaning: General waste -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Food waste -
Expression: 재활용
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong
Meaning: Recycling -
Expression: 편의점
Pronunciation: pyeon-ui-jeom
Meaning: Convenience store -
Expression: 마트 / 슈퍼마켓
Pronunciation: ma-teu / syu-peo-ma-ket
Meaning: Mart / Supermarket -
Expression: 리터
Pronunciation: ri-teo
Meaning: Liter (unit for bag size) -
Expression: 사이즈 / 크기
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu / keu-gi
Meaning: Size -
Expression: 가격 / 값
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok / gapt
Meaning: Price / Cost -
Expression: 묶음
Pronunciation: muk-keum
Meaning: Pack / Bundle (of bags) -
Expression: 장
Pronunciation: jang
Meaning: Sheet / Piece (counter for bags)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the 종량제 (jong-ryang-je) system is crucial for proper waste disposal in Korea. The cost of waste collection is included in the price of these designated bags. Using unauthorized bags can result in fines.
Volume-based waste bags (종량제 봉투) are specific to the district or city (구/gu or 시/si) you are in. You must purchase and use bags designated for that particular area. Bags bought in one district usually cannot be used in another.
There are typically different bags for general waste (일반 쓰레기) and food waste (음식물 쓰레기). They often differ in color (e.g., white/transparent for general, yellow/pink for food waste, but colors vary by region). Ensure you buy the correct type for your needs.
These bags are most commonly sold at local convenience stores (편의점) and supermarkets (마트). You usually need to ask the cashier for them, as they might not be displayed openly on shelves.
Recycling (재활용) is taken very seriously. Recyclable items like paper, plastic, cans, and glass should be sorted and placed in designated recycling bins, not in the volume-based waste bags.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) wants to buy volume-based waste bags at a convenience store.
Roles: A: Customer, B: Cashier
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 종량제 봉투 있어요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jong-ryang-je bong-tu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. Do you have volume-based waste bags? -
Expression: B: 네, 있습니다. 어떤 거 드릴까요? 일반 쓰레기요?
Pronunciation: ne, iss-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon geo deu-ril-kka-yo? il-ban sseu-re-gi-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, we do. Which kind would you like? General waste? -
Expression: A: 네, 일반 쓰레기용 20리터짜리 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, il-ban sseu-re-gi-yong i-sim-ni-teo-jja-ri ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, please give me the 20-liter one for general waste. -
Expression: B: 한 묶음 드릴까요? 열 장 들어있어요.
Pronunciation: han muk-keum deu-ril-kka-yo? yeol jang deul-eo-iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Shall I give you one pack? It contains ten sheets. -
Expression: A: 네, 한 묶음 주세요. 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ne, han muk-keum ju-se-yo. eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, one pack please. How much is it? -
Expression: B: 오천원입니다.
Pronunciation: o-cheon-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It’s 5,000 won. -
Expression: A: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi iss-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay, here you go. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Buying 종량제 봉투 is a very practical task you’ll likely need to do often if staying in Korea! Try visiting your local convenience store or mart and practice asking for the bags you need~ Remember to specify the type (general or food waste) and the size (in liters).
Don’t be afraid to ask “얼마예요?” (eol-ma-ye-yo? – How much is it?) or point if you’re unsure. Most cashiers are used to helping foreigners with this. Observing which bags your neighbors use can also help you identify the correct ones for your area. Good luck! Fighting!
