Proper waste disposal, especially for food waste, is crucial when living in or visiting Korea due to its strict separation rules. This guide covers the essential Korean term for food waste and related vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate the disposal system correctly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 음식물 쓰레기
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Food waste (literally “foodstuff garbage”)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 쓰레기
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Trash, garbage -
Expression: 쓰레기통
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi-tong
Meaning: Trash can, bin -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu
Meaning: Food waste bag (specific bags required for disposal) -
Expression: 분리수거
Pronunciation: bun-li-su-geo
Meaning: Waste separation, recycling -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi
Meaning: General waste (non-recyclable, non-food waste) -
Expression: 재활용 쓰레기
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Recyclable waste -
Expression: 버리다
Pronunciation: beo-ri-da
Meaning: To throw away, to dispose of -
Expression: 종량제 봉투
Pronunciation: jong-nyang-je bong-tu
Meaning: Volume-rate bag (standard bags for general waste, price includes disposal fee) -
Expression: 수거함
Pronunciation: su-geo-ham
Meaning: Collection bin -
Expression: 처리
Pronunciation: cheo-ri
Meaning: Disposal, processing -
Expression: 규정
Pronunciation: gyu-jeong
Meaning: Regulation, rule
Phrases for Disposing Food Waste
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Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 어디에 버려요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun eo-di-e beo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: Where do I throw away food waste? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투는 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy food waste bags? -
Expression: 이거 음식물 쓰레기 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this food waste? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 따로 버려야 해요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun tta-ro beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You have to throw away food waste separately. -
Expression: 물기를 빼고 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: mul-gi-reul ppae-go beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please drain the water/liquid before throwing it away. -
Expression: 뼈나 조개껍데기는 일반 쓰레기예요.
Pronunciation: ppyeo-na jo-gae-kkeop-de-gi-neun il-ban sseu-re-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: Bones or shells are general waste. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기통이 꽉 찼어요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-tong-i kkwak chat-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The food waste bin is full. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 수거일은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi su-geo-il-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the food waste collection day? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 처리 비용은 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi cheo-ri bi-yong-eun eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: How much is the food waste disposal fee? (Often included in bag price or RFID system) -
Expression: 이 아파트는 음식물 쓰레기 카드를 사용해요.
Pronunciation: i a-pa-teu-neun eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi ka-deu-reul sa-yong-hae-yo.
Meaning: This apartment uses a food waste card system (RFID). -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 이 통에 버리면 돼요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun i tong-e beo-ri-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You can throw the food waste in this bin. -
Expression: 봉투를 잘 묶어서 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: bong-tu-reul jal muk-kkeo-seo beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tie the bag tightly before throwing it away.
Asking for Help
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Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 버리는 방법을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi beo-ri-neun bang-beo-beul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to dispose of food waste. -
Expression: 이것 좀 버려 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geot jom beo-ryeo ju-sil su it-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you throw this away for me? (Use cautiously, better to learn the system) -
Expression: 제가 제대로 버리고 있는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: je-ga je-dae-ro beo-ri-go it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if I’m disposing of it correctly. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 봉투 파는 곳이 근처에 있나요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu pa-neun go-si geun-cheo-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place nearby that sells food waste bags? (Usually supermarkets or convenience stores) -
Expression: 분리수거 하는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: bun-li-su-geo ha-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the waste separation/recycling area? -
Expression: 이건 어떻게 버려야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-ya hal-ji mo-reu-get-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to throw this away. -
Expression: 경비실에 물어볼까요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-bi-sil-e mu-reo-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I ask the security office? (Common in apartment complexes) -
Expression: 이웃에게 물어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-u-se-ge mu-reo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to ask a neighbor? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기 관련 규정이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi gwal-lyeon gyu-jeong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there regulations regarding food waste? -
Expression: 이 지역 음식물 쓰레기 처리 방식은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi cheo-ri bang-sik-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the food waste disposal method in this area?
Korean Culture Notes
Strict Separation: Korea has a very strict waste separation system (분리수거 – bun-li-su-geo). Food waste (음식물 쓰레기) must always be separated from general waste (일반 쓰레기) and recyclables (재활용 쓰레기).
Pay-As-You-Throw System: Most regions operate on a volume-based fee system (종량제 – jong-nyang-je). You must purchase designated food waste bags (음식물 쓰레기 봉투) specific to your district, or use an RFID card system linked to communal bins, which weighs the waste and charges your household accordingly.
What Counts as Food Waste?: Generally, only soft, compostable food scraps (fruit peels, vegetable scraps, leftover cooked food without bones) are considered food waste. Hard items like bones, seafood shells, hard pits/seeds (e.g., peach pits), tea bags, coffee grounds, and eggshells are usually classified as general waste (일반 쓰레기) and should be put in the standard volume-rate bags (종량제 봉투). Rules can vary slightly by district, so it’s good to check local guidelines.
Drain Liquids: It’s essential to remove as much liquid (물기 – mul-gi) as possible before disposing of food waste. Excess moisture can cause odors and issues during processing.
Designated Disposal: In apartment complexes or residential areas, there are usually specific bins and designated days/times for disposing of different types of waste, including food waste. Follow the local rules to avoid fines or issues with neighbors.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a foreigner who just moved into a Korean apartment, asks their neighbor, Minjun, about disposing of food waste.
Roles: A: Alex (Foreigner), B: Minjun (Korean Neighbor)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 민준 씨. 음식물 쓰레기 버리는 것 좀 물어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, min-jun ssi. eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi beo-ri-neun geot jom mu-reo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hello, Minjun. Can I ask you something about disposing of food waste? -
Expression: B: 네, 알렉스 씨. 그럼요. 뭐든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-lek-seu ssi. geu-reom-yo. mwo-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, Alex. Of course. Ask me anything. -
Expression: A: 음식물 쓰레기는 어디에 버려야 해요? 그리고 특별한 봉투가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun eo-di-e beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo? geu-ri-go teuk-byeol-han bong-tu-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where should I throw away food waste? And do I need a special bag? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 1층 분리수거장에 가면 노란색 음식물 쓰레기통이 있어요. 그리고 마트에서 파는 전용 음식물 쓰레기 봉투를 사서 거기에 넣어야 해요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. il-cheung bun-li-su-geo-jang-e ga-myeon no-ran-saek eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-tong-i i-sseo-yo. geu-ri-go ma-teu-e-seo pa-neun jeon-yong eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi bong-tu-reul sa-seo geo-gi-e neo-eo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. If you go to the recycling area on the 1st floor, there’s a yellow food waste bin. And you need to buy the dedicated food waste bags sold at the supermarket and put the waste in there. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 그럼 닭뼈 같은 것도 음식물 쓰레기인가요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. geu-reom dak-ppyeo ga-teun geot-do eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: I see. Then, are things like chicken bones also food waste? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 뼈나 조개껍데기 같은 딱딱한 것은 일반 쓰레기예요. 종량제 봉투에 넣어서 버려야 해요. 음식물 쓰레기에는 부드러운 음식 찌꺼기만 버려야 해요. 물기도 꼭 짜고요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, ppyeo-na jo-gae-kkeop-de-gi ga-teun ttak-tta-kan geo-seun il-ban sseu-re-gi-ye-yo. jong-nyang-je bong-tu-e neo-eo-seo beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo. eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-e-neun bu-deu-reo-un eum-sik jji-kkeo-gi-man beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo. mul-gi-do kkok jja-go-yo.
Meaning: No, hard things like bones or shells are general waste. You have to put them in the standard volume-rate bag and throw them away. Only soft food scraps should go into food waste. And make sure to squeeze out the liquid. -
Expression: A: 자세히 알려주셔서 감사합니다! 이제 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da! i-je al-get-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining in detail! I understand now.
Practice Tips
Mastering waste disposal rules is a practical necessity in Korea! Try observing the designated disposal areas in your building or neighborhood to see how others do it~ When you buy food waste bags (음식물 쓰레기 봉투) at the store, you can practice asking for them. Don’t hesitate to ask your building manager (관리인 – gwal-li-in) or security guard (경비원 – gyeong-bi-won) using phrases like “음식물 쓰레기는 어디에 버려요?” if you’re unsure. Getting this right shows respect for local customs and keeps your living space clean! Fighting!~
