Understanding how to discuss and prepare for natural phenomena like droughts is important, especially when living in or visiting a region prone to such conditions. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to drought preparedness (가뭄대비 – ga-mum dae-bi), covering everything from basic terms to discussing conservation measures and understanding official announcements.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 가뭄대비
Pronunciation: ga-mum dae-bi
Meaning: Drought preparedness (literally “drought preparation”)
Basic Vocabulary for Drought
-
Expression: 가뭄
Pronunciation: ga-mum
Meaning: Drought -
Expression: 물 부족
Pronunciation: mul bu-jok
Meaning: Water shortage -
Expression: 절수
Pronunciation: jeol-su
Meaning: Water conservation -
Expression: 강수량
Pronunciation: gang-su-ryang
Meaning: Rainfall amount, precipitation -
Expression: 저수지
Pronunciation: jeo-su-ji
Meaning: Reservoir -
Expression: 댐
Pronunciation: daem
Meaning: Dam -
Expression: 급수 제한
Pronunciation: geup-su je-han
Meaning: Water supply restriction -
Expression: 농업용수
Pronunciation: nong-eom-nyong-su
Meaning: Agricultural water -
Expression: 생활용수
Pronunciation: saeng-hwal-lyong-su
Meaning: Domestic water, household water -
Expression: 가뭄 경보
Pronunciation: ga-mum gyeong-bo
Meaning: Drought warning -
Expression: 비상 급수
Pronunciation: bi-sang geup-su
Meaning: Emergency water supply -
Expression: 건조한 날씨
Pronunciation: geon-jo-han nal-ssi
Meaning: Dry weather
Discussing Drought Conditions
-
Expression: 요즘 가뭄이 심각해요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum ga-mum-i sim-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: The drought is severe these days. -
Expression: 비가 너무 안 와요.
Pronunciation: bi-ga neo-mu an wa-yo.
Meaning: It hasn’t rained much at all. -
Expression: 저수지 수위가 많이 낮아졌어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-su-ji su-wi-ga ma-ni na-ja-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The water level in the reservoir has dropped significantly. -
Expression: 물 부족 문제가 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: mul bu-jok mun-je-ga geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried about the water shortage problem. -
Expression: 언제쯤 비가 올까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum bi-ga ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: When do you think it will rain? -
Expression: 가뭄 때문에 농작물 피해가 커요.
Pronunciation: ga-mum ttae-mu-ne nong-jang-mul pi-hae-ga keo-yo.
Meaning: Crop damage is significant due to the drought. -
Expression: 정부에서 가뭄 대책을 발표했어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-e-seo ga-mum dae-chae-geul bal-pyo-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The government announced drought countermeasures. -
Expression: 일부 지역에서는 급수 제한을 시작했어요.
Pronunciation: il-bu ji-yeo-ge-seo-neun geup-su je-ha-neul si-jak-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Water supply restrictions have started in some areas. -
Expression: 가뭄이 얼마나 더 지속될까요?
Pronunciation: ga-mum-i eol-ma-na deo ji-sok-doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: How much longer will the drought last? -
Expression: 강물이 거의 말랐어요.
Pronunciation: gang-mu-ri geo-ui mal-la-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The river has almost dried up. -
Expression: 산불 위험도 높아졌어요.
Pronunciation: san-bul wi-heom-do no-pa-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The risk of forest fires has also increased.
Actions for Drought Preparedness
-
Expression: 물을 아껴 써야 해요.
Pronunciation: mu-reul a-kkyeo sseo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to save water. -
Expression: 샤워 시간을 줄이세요.
Pronunciation: sya-wo si-ga-neul ju-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten your shower time. -
Expression: 양치할 때 물컵을 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: yang-chi-hal ttae mul-keo-beul sa-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please use a cup when brushing your teeth. -
Expression: 설거지할 때 물을 받아서 하세요.
Pronunciation: seol-geo-ji-hal ttae mu-reul ba-da-seo ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please collect water in the sink when washing dishes. -
Expression: 비상용 식수를 준비해 두세요.
Pronunciation: bi-sang-yong sik-su-reul jun-bi-hae du-se-yo.
Meaning: Please prepare emergency drinking water. -
Expression: 누수가 있는지 확인하세요.
Pronunciation: nu-su-ga it-neun-ji hwa-gin-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check for any water leaks. -
Expression: 정부의 절수 지침을 따릅시다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui jeol-su ji-chi-meul tta-reup-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s follow the government’s water conservation guidelines. -
Expression: 빗물 저장 시설을 설치하는 것도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: bit-mul jeo-jang si-seo-reul seol-chi-ha-neun geot-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Installing rainwater harvesting facilities is also good. -
Expression: 세차 횟수를 줄여야 합니다.
Pronunciation: se-cha hoet-su-reul ju-ryeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to reduce the frequency of car washes. -
Expression: 가뭄 관련 뉴스를 주의 깊게 보세요.
Pronunciation: ga-mum gwal-lyeon nyu-seu-reul ju-ui gip-ge bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pay close attention to drought-related news. -
Expression: 물 절약 캠페인에 참여합시다.
Pronunciation: mul jeol-yak kaem-pe-i-ne cham-yeo-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s participate in the water saving campaign.
Korean Culture Notes
Korea experiences distinct seasons, and while generally receiving ample rainfall, periods of drought (가뭄 – ga-mum) can occur, particularly in spring. Water management is a significant national concern due to population density and industrial needs.
Historically, droughts have posed major challenges, especially for agriculture. This has fostered a cultural awareness of water’s value, although modern infrastructure has mitigated the worst effects. Still, during severe droughts, water conservation (절수 – jeol-su) becomes a nationwide effort.
Government agencies regularly monitor water levels in dams (댐 – daem) and reservoirs (저수지 – jeo-su-ji) and issue warnings or restrictions (급수 제한 – geup-su je-han) when necessary. Public campaigns encouraging water saving are common during dry spells.
Community cooperation is key during droughts. You’ll often see public service announcements and local government initiatives promoting water-saving habits in daily life (생활 속 물 절약 – saeng-hwal sok mul jeol-yak).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two neighbors, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), meet outside their apartment building and discuss the ongoing drought.
-
Expression: A: 소라 씨, 안녕하세요. 요즘 가뭄이 정말 심각하네요.
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. yo-jeum ga-mum-i jeong-mal sim-gak-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Hello, Sora. The drought is really serious these days, isn’t it? -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 뉴스 보니까 저수지 물이 많이 줄었대요. 걱정이에요.
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. nyu-seu bo-ni-kka jeo-su-ji mu-ri ma-ni ju-reot-dae-yo. geok-jeong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: Yes, Minjun. I saw on the news that the water in the reservoirs has decreased a lot. I’m worried. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 저희 집도 물 아껴 쓰려고 노력하고 있어요. 샤워 시간도 줄이고요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. jeo-hui jip-do mul a-kkyeo sseu-ryeo-go no-ryeo-ka-go i-sseo-yo. sya-wo si-gan-do ju-ri-go-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. My family is also trying to save water. We’re shortening our shower times too. -
Expression: B: 잘하시네요. 저도 설거지할 때 물 받아서 쓰고 있어요. 작은 실천이 중요하잖아요.
Pronunciation: jal-ha-si-ne-yo. jeo-do seol-geo-ji-hal ttae mul ba-da-seo sseu-go i-sseo-yo. ja-geun sil-cheo-ni jung-yo-ha-ja-na-yo.
Meaning: That’s good. I’m also collecting water when I do the dishes. Small actions are important, aren’t they? -
Expression: A: 네. 곧 비가 좀 와야 할 텐데요. 가뭄대비 잘 해야겠어요.
Pronunciation: ne. got bi-ga jom wa-ya hal ten-de-yo. ga-mum-dae-bi jal hae-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes. I hope it rains soon. We need to prepare well for the drought. -
Expression: B: 맞아요. 다 같이 노력해야죠.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. da ga-chi no-ryeo-kae-ya-jyo.
Meaning: That’s right. We all need to make an effort together.
Practice Tips
Mastering vocabulary related to drought preparedness involves understanding the terms and knowing how to use them! Try listening to Korean news reports about weather (일기예보 – il-gi-ye-bo) or environmental issues~ Pay attention to how terms like 가뭄, 물 부족, and 절수 are used.
Practice making sentences about water conservation habits. You could role-play conversations like the example above with a study partner or language exchange friend. Discussing current events like droughts is a great way to use practical vocabulary in a meaningful context. Keep practicing, and stay informed! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
