Understanding environmental terms is increasingly important globally, and discussing topics like carbon footprint in Korean requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean expressions related to 탄소발자국 (carbon footprint), helping you discuss environmental impact and sustainability in Korean conversations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 탄소발자국
Pronunciation: tan-so-bal-ja-guk
Meaning: Carbon footprint (literally “carbon footprint”)
Basic Environmental Vocabulary
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Expression: 환경
Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong
Meaning: Environment -
Expression: 기후 변화
Pronunciation: gi-hu byeon-hwa
Meaning: Climate change -
Expression: 지구 온난화
Pronunciation: ji-gu on-nan-hwa
Meaning: Global warming -
Expression: 온실가스
Pronunciation: on-sil-ga-seu
Meaning: Greenhouse gas -
Expression: 에너지
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji
Meaning: Energy -
Expression: 재생 에너지
Pronunciation: jae-saeng e-neo-ji
Meaning: Renewable energy -
Expression: 재활용
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong
Meaning: Recycling -
Expression: 분리수거
Pronunciation: bun-li-su-geo
Meaning: Waste sorting/separation (for recycling) -
Expression: 오염
Pronunciation: o-yeom
Meaning: Pollution -
Expression: 지속가능성
Pronunciation: ji-sok-ga-neung-seong
Meaning: Sustainability -
Expression: 자원
Pronunciation: ja-won
Meaning: Resources -
Expression: 절약
Pronunciation: jeol-yak
Meaning: Conservation, saving
Useful Phrases for Discussing Carbon Footprint
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Expression: 탄소발자국을 줄이다
Pronunciation: tan-so-bal-ja-guk-eul jul-i-da
Meaning: To reduce carbon footprint -
Expression: 환경에 미치는 영향
Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong-e mi-chi-neun yeong-hyang
Meaning: Impact on the environment -
Expression: 에너지를 절약해야 해요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-reul jeol-yak-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to save energy. -
Expression: 대중교통을 이용합시다.
Pronunciation: dae-jung-gyo-tong-eul i-yong-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s use public transportation. -
Expression: 분리수거를 철저히 하다
Pronunciation: bun-li-su-geo-reul cheol-jeo-hi ha-da
Meaning: To sort waste thoroughly -
Expression: 일회용품 사용을 줄이다
Pronunciation: il-hoe-yong-pum sa-yong-eul jul-i-da
Meaning: To reduce the use of disposable items -
Expression: 친환경 제품을 사용하다
Pronunciation: chin-hwan-gyeong je-pum-eul sa-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To use eco-friendly products -
Expression: 개인의 노력이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: gae-in-ui no-ryeok-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Individual effort is important. -
Expression: 탄소 배출량을 계산하다
Pronunciation: tan-so bae-chul-lyang-eul gye-san-ha-da
Meaning: To calculate carbon emissions -
Expression: 지구를 보호해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-gu-reul bo-ho-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must protect the Earth. -
Expression: 육류 소비를 줄이는 것도 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: yuk-ryu so-bi-reul jul-i-neun geot-do do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: Reducing meat consumption also helps. -
Expression: 물 절약도 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: mul jeol-yak-do jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Saving water is also important.
Discussing Environmental Action
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Expression: 정부의 환경 정책이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui hwan-gyeong jeong-chaek-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Government environmental policies are needed. -
Expression: 기업의 사회적 책임이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: gi-eop-ui sa-hoe-jeok chaek-im-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Corporate social responsibility is important. -
Expression: 우리는 환경 문제를 심각하게 받아들여야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-neun hwan-gyeong mun-je-reul sim-gak-ha-ge bad-a-deul-yeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must take environmental problems seriously. -
Expression: 지속 가능한 생활 방식을 실천해야 해요.
Pronunciation: ji-sok ga-neung-han saeng-hwal bang-sik-eul sil-cheon-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to practice a sustainable lifestyle. -
Expression: 미래 세대를 위해 환경을 보호합시다.
Pronunciation: mi-rae se-dae-reul wi-hae hwan-gyeong-eul bo-ho-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s protect the environment for future generations. -
Expression: 탄소 중립 목표를 달성해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: tan-so jung-nip mok-pyo-reul dal-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. -
Expression: 환경 교육의 중요성을 강조하다
Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong gyo-yuk-ui jung-yo-seong-eul gang-jo-ha-da
Meaning: To emphasize the importance of environmental education -
Expression: 지역 사회 차원에서 노력해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok sa-hoe cha-won-e-seo no-ryeok-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Efforts must be made at the community level. -
Expression: 플라스틱 사용 규제가 강화되었습니다.
Pronunciation: peu-la-seu-tik sa-yong gyu-je-ga gang-hwa-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Regulations on plastic use have been strengthened. -
Expression: 기후 위기에 공동으로 대응해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: gi-hu wi-gi-e gong-dong-eu-ro dae-eung-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must respond collectively to the climate crisis. -
Expression: 자전거 타기나 걷기를 생활화합시다.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo ta-gi-na geot-gi-reul saeng-hwal-hwa-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s make cycling or walking a part of our daily lives. -
Expression: 환경 보호 캠페인에 참여하다
Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong bo-ho kaem-pe-in-e cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To participate in an environmental protection campaign
Korean Culture Notes
Strict Recycling (분리수거): Korea has one of the most rigorous waste sorting systems globally. Households and businesses must separate recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, cans, styrofoam), food waste, and general waste into specific bags or bins. Understanding and following 분리수거 rules is crucial for daily life and shows respect for local norms.
Government Initiatives: The Korean government actively promotes green policies, including investments in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and phasing out single-use plastics in places like cafes. Public awareness campaigns about environmental issues are common.
Public Transportation Focus: Due to dense urban populations, Korea has an excellent public transportation system (subways, buses). Using public transport is a common and encouraged way to reduce individual carbon footprints, compared to driving personal cars.
Growing Eco-Consciousness: While rapid industrialization historically prioritized economic growth, there’s a growing awareness and concern among Koreans, especially younger generations, about environmental issues like air pollution (미세먼지 – mi-se-meon-ji, fine dust) and climate change.
Food Waste Management: Korea has specific regulations for food waste disposal, often requiring separate collection and processing, sometimes with fees based on weight. This reflects a strong effort to manage organic waste effectively.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are discussing their daily habits related to environmental protection.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 요즘 환경 문제에 관심이 많아졌어요. 특히 탄소발자국을 줄이려고 노력하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, yo-jeum hwan-gyeong mun-je-e gwan-sim-i man-a-jyeot-seo-yo. Teuk-hi tan-so-bal-ja-guk-eul jul-i-ryeo-go no-ryeok-ha-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: Sora, I’ve become more interested in environmental issues lately. I’m especially trying to reduce my carbon footprint. -
Expression: B: 정말요? 저도 그래요! 구체적으로 어떤 노력을 하고 있어요?
Pronunciation: Jeong-mal-lyo? Jeo-do geu-rae-yo! Gu-che-jeok-eu-ro eo-tteon no-ryeok-eul ha-go it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Really? Me too! What specific efforts are you making? -
Expression: A: 저는 대중교통을 더 많이 이용하고, 집에서는 안 쓰는 전등은 꼭 끄려고 해요. 분리수거도 더 꼼꼼하게 하고요.
Pronunciation: Jeo-neun dae-jung-gyo-tong-eul deo man-i i-yong-ha-go, jib-e-seo-neun an sseu-neun jeon-deung-eun kkok kkeu-ryeo-go hae-yo. Bun-li-su-geo-do deo kkom-kkom-ha-ge ha-go-yo.
Meaning: I’m using public transport more, and I make sure to turn off lights I’m not using at home. I’m also sorting my waste more meticulously. -
Expression: B: 좋은 생각이네요! 저는 텀블러를 항상 가지고 다니고, 일회용품 사용을 최대한 줄이려고 해요. 작은 실천이지만 중요하잖아요.
Pronunciation: Jo-eun saeng-gak-i-ne-yo! Jeo-neun teom-beul-leo-reul hang-sang ga-ji-go da-ni-go, il-hoe-yong-pum sa-yong-eul choe-dae-han jul-i-ryeo-go hae-yo. Jak-eun sil-cheon-i-ji-man jung-yo-ha-jan-a-yo.
Meaning: That’s a great idea! I always carry a tumbler and try to minimize using disposable items as much as possible. It’s a small action, but it’s important, right? -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 개인의 노력이 모이면 큰 변화를 만들 수 있을 거예요. 우리 같이 탄소발자국 줄이기를 계속 실천해요!
Pronunciation: Mat-a-yo. Gae-in-ui no-ryeok-i mo-i-myeon keun byeon-hwa-reul man-deul su it-eul geo-ye-yo. U-ri ga-chi tan-so-bal-ja-guk jul-i-gi-reul gye-sok sil-cheon-hae-yo!
Meaning: That’s right. If individual efforts gather, we can make a big change. Let’s continue practicing reducing our carbon footprint together!
Practice Tips
Discussing environmental topics like 탄소발자국 requires specific vocabulary, so practice is key! Try discussing your own habits for reducing your carbon footprint with Korean friends or language partners~ Use phrases like 저는 [action]-(으)로 탄소발자국을 줄여요 (jeo-neun [action]-eu-ro tan-so-bal-ja-guk-eul jul-yeo-yo – I reduce my carbon footprint by [action]). Read Korean news articles about climate change or environmental policies to see these words used in context. Labeling items around your house related to energy saving or recycling in Korean can also help reinforce vocabulary! Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to discuss these important global issues confidently in Korean!
