Understanding discussions about environmental issues and energy policy in Korea requires knowing the term for renewable energy. This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 재생에너지 (jae-saeng-e-neo-ji), covering different types, related concepts, and how to discuss this important topic in conversation.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 재생에너지
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji
Meaning: Renewable Energy (Literally: 재생 jae-saeng – regeneration/renewal + 에너지 e-neo-ji – energy)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 태양광 에너지
Pronunciation: tae-yang-gwang e-neo-ji
Meaning: Solar Energy -
Expression: 풍력 에너지
Pronunciation: pung-ryeok e-neo-ji
Meaning: Wind Energy -
Expression: 수력 에너지
Pronunciation: su-ryeok e-neo-ji
Meaning: Hydroelectric Energy (Hydropower) -
Expression: 지열 에너지
Pronunciation: ji-yeol e-neo-ji
Meaning: Geothermal Energy -
Expression: 바이오매스 에너지
Pronunciation: ba-i-o-mae-seu e-neo-ji
Meaning: Biomass Energy -
Expression: 해양 에너지
Pronunciation: hae-yang e-neo-ji
Meaning: Ocean Energy (Tidal, Wave) -
Expression: 지속가능한 에너지
Pronunciation: ji-sok-ga-neung-han e-neo-ji
Meaning: Sustainable Energy -
Expression: 친환경 에너지
Pronunciation: chin-hwan-gyeong e-neo-ji
Meaning: Eco-friendly Energy -
Expression: 에너지 효율
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji hyo-yul
Meaning: Energy Efficiency -
Expression: 에너지 절약
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeol-yak
Meaning: Energy Saving -
Expression: 화석 연료
Pronunciation: hwa-seok yeol-lyo
Meaning: Fossil Fuel -
Expression: 탄소 배출
Pronunciation: tan-so bae-chul
Meaning: Carbon Emissions
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 재생에너지가 중요해요.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-ga jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Renewable energy is important. -
Expression: 한국은 재생에너지에 투자하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: han-guk-eun jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-e tu-ja-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Korea is investing in renewable energy. -
Expression: 태양광 발전소가 늘어나고 있어요.
Pronunciation: tae-yang-gwang bal-jeon-so-ga neul-eo-na-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Solar power plants are increasing. -
Expression: 풍력 발전은 환경에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: pung-ryeok bal-jeon-eun hwan-gyeong-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Wind power generation is good for the environment. -
Expression: 재생에너지 비율을 높여야 해요.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji bi-yul-eul nop-yeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to increase the proportion of renewable energy. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 재생에너지가 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What types of renewable energy are there? -
Expression: 재생에너지 기술이 발전하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji gi-sul-i bal-jeon-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Renewable energy technology is developing. -
Expression: 미래에는 재생에너지가 주된 에너지원이 될 거예요.
Pronunciation: mi-rae-e-neun jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-ga ju-doen e-neo-ji-won-i doel geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: In the future, renewable energy will be the main energy source. -
Expression: 재생에너지 사용을 장려해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji sa-yong-eul jang-ryeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must encourage the use of renewable energy. -
Expression: 이 건물은 태양광 패널을 사용해요.
Pronunciation: i geon-mul-eun tae-yang-gwang pae-neol-eul sa-yong-hae-yo.
Meaning: This building uses solar panels.
Discussing Renewable Energy
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Expression: 재생에너지의 장점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-ui jang-jeom-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the advantages of renewable energy? -
Expression: 재생에너지는 환경 오염을 줄일 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-neun hwan-gyeong o-yeom-eul jul-il su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Renewable energy can reduce environmental pollution. -
Expression: 하지만 초기 설치 비용이 비쌀 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: ha-ji-man cho-gi seol-chi bi-yong-i bi-ssal su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: However, the initial installation cost can be expensive. -
Expression: 날씨에 따라 발전량이 달라질 수 있다는 단점도 있어요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-e tta-ra bal-jeon-ryang-i dal-la-jil su it-da-neun dan-jeom-do i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s also the disadvantage that the amount of power generated can vary depending on the weather. -
Expression: 정부의 재생에너지 정책에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui jae-saeng-e-neo-ji jeong-chaek-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you think about the government’s renewable energy policy? -
Expression: 에너지 전환을 위해서는 더 많은 노력이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeon-hwan-eul wi-hae-seo-neun deo ma-neun no-ryeok-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: More effort is needed for the energy transition. -
Expression: 개인적으로 재생에너지를 어떻게 활용할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gae-in-jeok-eu-ro jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-reul eo-tteo-ke hwal-yong-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How can we personally utilize renewable energy? -
Expression: 가정용 태양광 발전을 설치하는 사람들이 늘고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jeong-yong tae-yang-gwang bal-jeon-eul seol-chi-ha-neun sa-ram-deul-i neul-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: More people are installing residential solar power generation. -
Expression: 재생에너지 관련 산업이 성장하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji gwal-lyeon san-eop-i seong-jang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Industries related to renewable energy are growing. -
Expression: 기후 변화 대응을 위해 재생에너지 확대가 필수적입니다.
Pronunciation: gi-hu byeon-hwa dae-eung-eul wi-hae jae-saeng-e-neo-ji hwak-dae-ga pil-su-jeok-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Expanding renewable energy is essential to combat climate change.
Policy and Technology
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Expression: 재생에너지 의무할당제 (RPS)
Pronunciation: jae-saeng-e-neo-ji ui-mu-hal-dang-je
Meaning: Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) -
Expression: 발전차액지원제도 (FIT)
Pronunciation: bal-jeon-cha-aek-ji-won-je-do
Meaning: Feed-in Tariff (FIT) -
Expression: 에너지 저장 시스템 (ESS)
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeo-jang si-seu-tem
Meaning: Energy Storage System (ESS) -
Expression: 스마트 그리드
Pronunciation: seu-ma-teu geu-ri-deu
Meaning: Smart Grid -
Expression: 탄소 중립
Pronunciation: tan-so jung-nip
Meaning: Carbon Neutrality -
Expression: 그린 뉴딜
Pronunciation: geu-rin nyu-dil
Meaning: Green New Deal -
Expression: 에너지 믹스
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji mik-seu
Meaning: Energy Mix -
Expression: 분산형 전원
Pronunciation: bun-san-hyeong jeon-won
Meaning: Distributed Generation (Decentralized Power Source) -
Expression: 신재생에너지
Pronunciation: sin-jae-saeng-e-neo-ji
Meaning: New and Renewable Energy (often used interchangeably with 재생에너지, but technically includes ‘new’ sources like fuel cells) -
Expression: 에너지 자립
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji ja-rip
Meaning: Energy Independence / Self-sufficiency
Cultural Notes on Energy in Korea
South Korea is heavily reliant on imported energy sources, particularly fossil fuels. This high dependency makes energy security and diversification crucial national issues.
The government has actively promoted renewable energy through policies like the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and initiatives like the Green New Deal, aiming to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix and achieve carbon neutrality goals.
Public awareness regarding environmental issues and the need for sustainable energy is growing, although challenges like land availability for large-scale solar or wind farms and balancing economic costs remain.
Korea is also a leader in related technologies, such as batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) and smart grid technology, which are vital for integrating intermittent renewable sources effectively.
Discussions about energy often involve balancing environmental concerns with economic development and energy security, reflecting the complex trade-offs involved in transitioning to a more sustainable energy system.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are discussing Korea’s energy situation.
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Expression: A: 요즘 뉴스에서 재생에너지 이야기가 많이 나오는 것 같아.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum nyu-seu-e-seo jae-saeng-e-neo-ji i-ya-gi-ga ma-ni na-o-neun geot ga-ta.
Meaning: It seems like renewable energy is mentioned a lot in the news these days. -
Expression: B: 맞아. 특히 태양광이랑 풍력 발전에 대한 관심이 높아졌지. 기후 변화 때문에 중요성이 더 커지고 있잖아.
Pronunciation: ma-ja. teu-ki tae-yang-gwang-i-rang pung-ryeok bal-jeon-e dae-han gwan-sim-i nop-a-jyeot-ji. gi-hu byeon-hwa ttae-mun-e jung-yo-seong-i deo keo-ji-go it-ja-na.
Meaning: Right. Interest in solar and wind power generation has especially increased. Its importance is growing because of climate change. -
Expression: A: 한국은 에너지 수입 의존도가 높으니까 재생에너지 비율을 늘리는 게 중요하겠네.
Pronunciation: han-guk-eun e-neo-ji su-ip ui-jon-do-ga nop-eu-ni-kka jae-saeng-e-neo-ji bi-yul-eul neul-li-neun ge jung-yo-ha-gen-ne.
Meaning: Since Korea has a high dependency on energy imports, increasing the proportion of renewable energy must be important. -
Expression: B: 응, 정부에서도 그린 뉴딜 정책 같은 걸로 지원하고 있잖아. 근데 아직 화석 연료 비중이 높아서 갈 길이 멀긴 해.
Pronunciation: eung, jeong-bu-e-seo-do geu-rin nyu-dil jeong-chaek ga-teun geol-lo ji-won-ha-go it-ja-na. geun-de a-jik hwa-seok yeol-lyo bi-jung-i nop-a-seo gal gil-i meol-gin hae.
Meaning: Yes, the government is supporting it through policies like the Green New Deal. But the proportion of fossil fuels is still high, so there’s still a long way to go. -
Expression: A: 에너지 저장 시스템(ESS) 기술도 같이 발전해야 안정적으로 공급할 수 있겠지?
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji jeo-jang si-seu-tem (ESS) gi-sul-do ga-chi bal-jeon-hae-ya an-jeong-jeok-eu-ro gong-geup-hal su it-get-ji?
Meaning: Energy Storage System (ESS) technology also needs to develop alongside it to ensure a stable supply, right? -
Expression: B: 정확해. 재생에너지는 날씨 영향이 크니까. 우리도 에너지 절약에 좀 더 신경 써야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-hae. jae-saeng-e-neo-ji-neun nal-ssi yeong-hyang-i keu-ni-kka. u-ri-do e-neo-ji jeol-yak-e jom deo sin-gyeong sseo-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: Exactly. Because renewable energy is greatly affected by the weather. I think we also need to pay more attention to saving energy.
Practice Tips
Understanding terms like 재생에너지 is key to discussing important global and national issues in Korean! Try reading Korean news articles about energy policy or environmental topics. Look for the words you learned here, like 태양광, 풍력, and 탄소 중립~
You can also practice by forming simple sentences about different energy sources or expressing your opinion on energy saving. For example, try saying “I think solar energy is good” (저는 태양광 에너지가 좋다고 생각해요 – jeo-neun tae-yang-gwang e-neo-ji-ga jo-ta-go saeng-gak-hae-yo) or “We need to save energy” (우리는 에너지를 절약해야 해요 – u-ri-neun e-neo-ji-reul jeol-yak-hae-ya hae-yo). Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to discuss these complex topics with confidence!
