Understanding and discussing energy efficiency is increasingly important globally, and Korea is no exception. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 에너지효율 (energy efficiency), helping you discuss topics ranging from appliance ratings to energy-saving habits and government policies.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Energy Efficiency
-
Expression: 에너지효율
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul
Meaning: Energy efficiency
Basic Vocabulary Related to Energy Efficiency
-
Expression: 에너지
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji
Meaning: Energy -
Expression: 효율
Pronunciation: hyo-yul
Meaning: Efficiency -
Expression: 절약
Pronunciation: jeol-yak
Meaning: Saving, conservation -
Expression: 소비
Pronunciation: so-bi
Meaning: Consumption -
Expression: 에너지 소비
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji so-bi
Meaning: Energy consumption -
Expression: 등급
Pronunciation: deung-geup
Meaning: Grade, rating, class -
Expression: 에너지효율등급
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-deung-geup
Meaning: Energy efficiency rating/grade -
Expression: 가전제품
Pronunciation: ga-jeon-je-pum
Meaning: Home appliances -
Expression: 건물
Pronunciation: geon-mul
Meaning: Building -
Expression: 친환경
Pronunciation: chin-hwan-gyeong
Meaning: Eco-friendly -
Expression: 지속가능성
Pronunciation: ji-sok-ga-neung-seong
Meaning: Sustainability -
Expression: 전기세
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-se
Meaning: Electricity bill
Useful Phrases for Discussing Energy Efficiency
-
Expression: 에너지효율을 높이다
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-eul no-pi-da
Meaning: To increase energy efficiency -
Expression: 에너지를 절약하다
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-reul jeol-yak-ha-da
Meaning: To save energy -
Expression: 이 제품은 에너지효율이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: i je-pum-eun e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: This product has good energy efficiency. -
Expression: 에너지효율등급이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-deung-geup-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the energy efficiency rating? -
Expression: 에너지 소비를 줄여야 합니다.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji so-bi-reul jul-yeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to reduce energy consumption. -
Expression: 정부의 에너지효율 정책은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui e-neo-ji-hyo-yul jeong-chaek-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the government’s energy efficiency policies? -
Expression: 에너지 절약 습관을 기릅시다.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeol-yak seup-gwan-eul gi-reup-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s cultivate energy-saving habits. -
Expression: 고효율 가전제품을 사용하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: go-hyo-yul ga-jeon-je-pum-eul sa-yong-ha-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to use high-efficiency home appliances. -
Expression: 건물의 에너지효율을 개선해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: geon-mul-ui e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-eul gae-seon-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. -
Expression: 에너지효율 기술이 발전하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul gi-sul-i bal-jeon-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Energy efficiency technology is advancing. -
Expression: 에너지효율이 높으면 전기세를 아낄 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i no-peu-myeon jeon-gi-se-reul a-kkil su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: If energy efficiency is high, you can save on electricity bills. -
Expression: 친환경적인 생활 방식을 추구해요.
Pronunciation: chin-hwan-gyeong-jeo-gin saeng-hwal bang-sik-eul chu-gu-hae-yo.
Meaning: I pursue an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Talking About Appliances and Buildings
-
Expression: 이 냉장고는 에너지효율 1등급입니다.
Pronunciation: i naeng-jang-go-neun e-neo-ji-hyo-yul il-deung-geup-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This refrigerator is energy efficiency grade 1. -
Expression: 에어컨 에너지 소비량이 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: e-eo-keon e-neo-ji so-bi-ryang-i eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How much is the energy consumption of this air conditioner? -
Expression: 에너지 절약형 세탁기를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeol-yak-hyeong se-tak-gi-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for an energy-saving washing machine. -
Expression: 건물 단열이 잘 되어 있으면 에너지가 절약됩니다.
Pronunciation: geon-mul dan-yeol-i jal doe-eo i-sseu-myeon e-neo-ji-ga jeol-yak-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Energy is saved if the building insulation is good. -
Expression: 오래된 가전제품은 에너지효율이 낮아요.
Pronunciation: o-rae-doen ga-jeon-je-pum-eun e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i na-ja-yo.
Meaning: Old home appliances have low energy efficiency. -
Expression: 창문을 이중창으로 바꾸면 에너지효율이 좋아져요.
Pronunciation: chang-mun-eul i-jung-chang-eu-ro ba-kku-myeon e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i jo-a-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: Changing to double-glazed windows improves energy efficiency. -
Expression: LED 조명은 에너지효율이 매우 높습니다.
Pronunciation: LED jo-myeong-eun e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i mae-u nop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: LED lighting is very energy efficient. -
Expression: 대기전력을 차단하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: dae-gi-jeol-lyeok-eul cha-dan-ha-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to cut off standby power. -
Expression: 스마트 홈 기술은 에너지 관리에 도움이 됩니다.
Pronunciation: seu-ma-teu hom gi-sul-eun e-neo-ji gwan-ri-e do-um-i doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Smart home technology helps with energy management. -
Expression: 에너지효율 라벨을 확인하세요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-hyo-yul ra-bel-eul hwa-gin-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Check the energy efficiency label. -
Expression: 건물 에너지 관리 시스템 (BEMS)
Pronunciation: geon-mul e-neo-ji gwan-ri si-seu-tem (BEMS)
Meaning: Building Energy Management System (BEMS) -
Expression: 난방 효율을 높이는 방법이 있나요?
Pronunciation: nan-bang hyo-yul-eul no-pi-neun bang-beop-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a way to increase heating efficiency?
Korean Culture Notes
Korea places significant emphasis on energy efficiency due to its reliance on imported energy resources. The government actively promotes energy conservation through various policies and campaigns.
When purchasing home appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, or washing machines in Korea, you’ll notice a mandatory energy efficiency label (에너지소비효율등급 라벨 – e-neo-ji-so-bi-hyo-yul-deung-geup ra-bel). This label grades products from 1 (most efficient) to 5 (least efficient), making it easy for consumers to choose energy-saving options.
Public awareness about saving energy (에너지 절약 – e-neo-ji jeol-yak) is generally high. Common practices include setting appropriate temperatures for heating and cooling, unplugging unused electronics to reduce standby power (대기전력 – dae-gi-jeol-lyeok), and utilizing public transportation.
Recent trends also focus on improving the energy efficiency of buildings through better insulation (단열 – dan-yeol), high-performance windows (고성능 창호 – go-seong-neung chang-ho), and the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Discussing energy efficiency is common, especially when talking about household expenses (전기세 – jeon-gi-se, electricity bill; 난방비 – nan-bang-bi, heating bill) or environmental concerns.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Jisu (A) and Minho (B), are discussing buying a new refrigerator.
-
Expression: A: 나 새 냉장고 사려고 하는데, 어떤 걸 사야 할지 모르겠어.
Pronunciation: na sae naeng-jang-go sa-ryeo-go ha-neun-de, eo-tteon geol sa-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I’m planning to buy a new refrigerator, but I don’t know which one to get. -
Expression: B: 요즘은 에너지효율이 중요하잖아. 에너지효율등급 꼭 확인해봐.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum-eun e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-i jung-yo-ha-ja-na. e-neo-ji-hyo-yul-deung-geup kkok hwa-gin-hae-bwa.
Meaning: Energy efficiency is important these days. Make sure to check the energy efficiency grade. -
Expression: A: 맞아. 1등급 제품이 제일 좋은 거지? 전기세 차이가 많이 나?
Pronunciation: ma-ja. il-deung-geup je-pum-i je-il jo-eun geo-ji? jeon-gi-se cha-i-ga ma-ni na?
Meaning: Right. Grade 1 products are the best, right? Is there a big difference in the electricity bill? -
Expression: B: 응, 장기적으로 보면 1등급이 훨씬 절약돼. 초기 비용이 좀 더 들어도 그게 나아.
Pronunciation: eung, jang-gi-jeo-geu-ro bo-myeon il-deung-geup-i hwol-ssin jeol-yak-dwae. cho-gi bi-yong-i jom deo deul-eo-do geu-ge na-a.
Meaning: Yes, in the long run, Grade 1 saves much more. It’s better even if the initial cost is a bit higher. -
Expression: A: 그렇구나. 에너지 소비량도 비교해 봐야겠다. 고마워!
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-na. e-neo-ji so-bi-ryang-do bi-gyo-hae bwa-ya-get-da. go-ma-wo!
Meaning: I see. I should compare the energy consumption too. Thanks! -
Expression: B: 천만에. 좋은 제품으로 잘 골라봐!
Pronunciation: cheon-ma-ne. jo-eun je-pum-eu-ro jal gol-la-bwa!
Meaning: You’re welcome. Choose a good product carefully!
Practice Tips
Understanding terms related to 에너지효율 is practical for daily life in Korea! Try checking the energy efficiency labels next time you see an appliance~ You can also practice by discussing simple energy-saving habits with Korean friends or language partners. Pay attention to news articles or government announcements about energy policies to expand your vocabulary further. Keep practicing, and you’ll be discussing energy efficiency like a pro!
