Understanding and participating in Korea’s waste separation system is crucial for daily life, whether you’re a resident or a long-term visitor. This guide covers the essential Korean term for separate waste collection, 분리수거 (bul-li-su-geo), along with related vocabulary and practical phrases to help you navigate recycling rules correctly and confidently.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Separate Waste Collection
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Expression: 분리수거
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo
Meaning: Separate waste collection; recycling separation
Basic Recycling Vocabulary
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Expression: 플라스틱
Pronunciation: peul-la-seu-tik
Meaning: Plastic -
Expression: 종이
Pronunciation: jong-i
Meaning: Paper -
Expression: 캔
Pronunciation: kaen
Meaning: Can (aluminum/steel) -
Expression: 유리
Pronunciation: yu-ri
Meaning: Glass -
Expression: 비닐
Pronunciation: bi-nil
Meaning: Vinyl; plastic bags/wrap -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Food waste -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi
Meaning: General waste (non-recyclable trash) -
Expression: 재활용품
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong-pum
Meaning: Recyclables -
Expression: 쓰레기 봉투
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi bong-tu
Meaning: Trash bag (often refers to the specific designated bags) -
Expression: 스티로폼
Pronunciation: seu-ti-ro-pom
Meaning: Styrofoam -
Expression: 폐지
Pronunciation: pye-ji
Meaning: Waste paper; scrap paper -
Expression: 고철
Pronunciation: go-cheol
Meaning: Scrap metal
Phrases for Asking About Recycling
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Expression: 분리수거는 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I do the separate waste collection? -
Expression: 이거 어디에 버려요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-di-e beo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: Where do I throw this away? -
Expression: 플라스틱은 어디에 버려야 해요?
Pronunciation: peul-la-seu-ti-geun eo-di-e beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Where should I throw away plastic? -
Expression: 분리수거 하는 날이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo ha-neun na-ri eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the separate waste collection day? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 어떻게 버려요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: How do I dispose of food waste? -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기 봉투는 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi bong-tu-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy general waste bags? -
Expression: 이것도 재활용돼요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-do jae-hwal-yong-dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is this recyclable too? -
Expression: 분리수거 장소가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo jang-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the recycling collection spot? -
Expression: 종이 상자는 어떻게 버려야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jong-i sang-ja-neun eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I dispose of cardboard boxes? -
Expression: 유리병은 깨끗하게 씻어서 버려야 해요?
Pronunciation: yu-ri-byeong-eun kkae-kkeu-ta-ge ssi-seo-seo beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to wash glass bottles clean before throwing them away? -
Expression: 비닐류는 따로 모아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: bi-nil-lyu-neun tta-ro mo-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to collect plastic wraps/bags separately?
Phrases for Explaining Recycling Rules
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Expression: 종류별로 분리해서 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: jong-nyu-byeol-lo bul-li-hae-seo beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please separate by type and throw it away. -
Expression: 플라스틱은 내용물을 비우고 헹궈서 버려야 합니다.
Pronunciation: peul-la-seu-ti-geun nae-yong-mu-reul bi-u-go heng-gwo-seo beo-ryeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Plastic items must be emptied and rinsed before disposal. -
Expression: 종이 상자는 테이프를 제거하고 접어서 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: jong-i sang-ja-neun te-i-peu-reul je-geo-ha-go jeo-beo-seo beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove tape from cardboard boxes and fold them before disposal. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 물기를 제거하고 전용 봉투에 담아 버리세요.
Pronunciation: eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun mul-kki-reul je-geo-ha-go jeon-yong bong-tu-e da-ma beo-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Remove moisture from food waste and put it in the designated bag before disposal. -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기는 종량제 봉투에 넣어서 버려야 해요.
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi-neun jong-nyang-je bong-tu-e neo-eo-seo beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: General waste must be put in volume-based waste bags for disposal. -
Expression: 분리수거는 지정된 요일에만 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo-neun ji-jeong-doen yo-i-re-man ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Separate waste collection is only possible on designated days. -
Expression: 스티로폼은 깨끗하게 해서 따로 모아주세요.
Pronunciation: seu-ti-ro-po-meun kkae-kkeu-ta-ge hae-seo tta-ro mo-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please clean styrofoam and collect it separately. -
Expression: 캔과 유리병은 내용물을 비우고 버리세요.
Pronunciation: kaen-gwa yu-ri-byeong-eun nae-yong-mu-reul bi-u-go beo-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Empty cans and glass bottles before throwing them away. -
Expression: 분리수거를 제대로 안 하면 과태료가 부과될 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bul-li-su-geo-reul je-dae-ro an ha-myeon gwa-tae-ryo-ga bu-gwa-doel su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You may be fined if you don’t separate waste properly. -
Expression: 폐건전지와 형광등은 따로 수거함에 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: pye-geon-jeon-ji-wa hyeong-gwang-deung-eun tta-ro su-geo-ha-me neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put used batteries and fluorescent lamps in the separate collection box. -
Expression: 대형 폐기물은 신고하고 버려야 합니다.
Pronunciation: dae-hyeong pye-gi-mu-reun sin-go-ha-go beo-ryeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Large waste items must be reported before disposal.
Related Verbs and Actions
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Expression: 분리하다
Pronunciation: bul-li-ha-da
Meaning: To separate; to sort -
Expression: 버리다
Pronunciation: beo-ri-da
Meaning: To throw away; to dispose of -
Expression: 모으다
Pronunciation: mo-eu-da
Meaning: To collect; to gather -
Expression: 씻다 / 헹구다
Pronunciation: ssit-da / heng-gu-da
Meaning: To wash / To rinse -
Expression: 비우다
Pronunciation: bi-u-da
Meaning: To empty -
Expression: 접다
Pronunciation: jeop-da
Meaning: To fold -
Expression: 제거하다
Pronunciation: je-geo-ha-da
Meaning: To remove -
Expression: 담다
Pronunciation: dam-da
Meaning: To put into (a container/bag) -
Expression: 배출하다
Pronunciation: bae-chul-ha-da
Meaning: To discharge; to dispose of (formal term for putting out trash) -
Expression: 재활용하다
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To recycle -
Expression: 압착하다
Pronunciation: ap-cha-ka-da
Meaning: To compress; to flatten -
Expression: 묶다
Pronunciation: muk-tta
Meaning: To tie; to bundle
Korean Culture Notes on Recycling
Korea has one of the most systematic and strict recycling systems globally. Understanding 분리수거 (bul-li-su-geo) is essential for integrating into daily life. Apartment complexes usually have designated areas and days for specific types of recyclables.
General waste (일반 쓰레기 – il-ban sseu-re-gi) must be disposed of in specific, pre-paid bags called 종량제 봉투 (jong-nyang-je bong-tu). These bags vary slightly by district and can be purchased at local supermarkets or convenience stores. Using regular plastic bags for general waste can result in fines.
Food waste (음식물 쓰레기 – eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi) disposal also requires specific procedures. Depending on the area, this might involve designated bins with RFID card access, special paid bags, or small buckets. It’s crucial to remove excess moisture and non-food items (like shells or bones) before disposal.
Recyclables (재활용품 – jae-hwal-yong-pum) like plastic, paper, cans, and glass must be cleaned, emptied, and sorted correctly. For example, plastic containers should be rinsed, labels removed if possible, and then placed in the plastic bin. Cardboard boxes should be flattened and bundled.
Failure to comply with 분리수거 rules can lead to warnings or fines (과태료 – gwa-tae-ryo). Neighbors and building managers often pay close attention to proper disposal, as it’s considered a community responsibility.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a new foreign resident, is confused about recycling and asks their Korean neighbor, Minjun, for help at the apartment’s recycling station.
Roles: A: Alex (Foreign Resident), B: Minjun (Korean Neighbor)
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Expression: A: 저기요, 민준 씨. 분리수거 좀 도와주실 수 있어요? 너무 헷갈려요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, min-jun ssi. bul-li-su-geo jom do-wa-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo? neo-mu het-gal-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, Minjun. Could you help me with the recycling? It’s so confusing. -
Expression: B: 아, 알렉스 씨. 네, 그럼요. 뭐가 어려우세요?
Pronunciation: a, al-lek-seu ssi. ne, geu-reom-nyo. mwo-ga eo-ryeo-u-se-yo?
Meaning: Oh, Alex. Yes, of course. What are you having trouble with? -
Expression: A: 이 플라스틱 용기는 그냥 버리면 돼요? 아니면 씻어야 해요?
Pronunciation: i peul-la-seu-tik yong-gi-neun geu-nyang beo-ri-myeon dwae-yo? a-ni-myeon ssi-seo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: This plastic container, can I just throw it away? Or do I need to wash it? -
Expression: B: 네, 내용물 비우고 한번 헹궈서 플라스틱 통에 넣으시면 돼요. 라벨도 떼면 더 좋고요.
Pronunciation: ne, nae-yong-mul bi-u-go han-beon heng-gwo-seo peul-la-seu-tik tong-e neo-eu-si-myeon dwae-yo. ra-bel-do tte-myeon deo jo-ko-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you should empty the contents, rinse it once, and put it in the plastic bin. It’s even better if you remove the label. -
Expression: A: 아하, 그렇군요. 그럼 이 종이 상자는요?
Pronunciation: a-ha, geu-reo-kun-yo. geu-reom i jong-i sang-ja-neun-yo?
Meaning: Aha, I see. Then what about this cardboard box? -
Expression: B: 상자는 테이프 다 떼고 납작하게 접어서 저기 폐지 모으는 곳에 두시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: sang-ja-neun te-i-peu da tte-go nap-ja-ka-ge jeo-beo-seo jeo-gi pye-ji mo-eu-neun go-se du-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: For boxes, remove all the tape, fold it flat, and put it over there where they collect waste paper. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다! 분리수거가 생각보다 복잡하네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! bul-li-su-geo-ga saeng-gak-bo-da bok-ja-pa-ne-yo.
Meaning: Thank you so much! Separate waste collection is more complicated than I thought. -
Expression: B: 익숙해지면 괜찮아요. 모르는 거 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: ik-su-kae-ji-myeon gwaen-cha-na-yo. mo-reu-neun geo i-sseu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay once you get used to it. If there’s anything you don’t know, feel free to ask anytime.
Practice Tips
Mastering Korea’s 분리수거 system takes a bit of practice, but it’s essential! Try sorting your own trash using the vocabulary learned today~ Pay attention to the signs at recycling stations in apartments or public areas. Don’t hesitate to ask neighbors or building staff using phrases like “이거 어떻게 버려요?” (i-geo eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-yo? – How do I throw this away?). Observing how locals do it is also a great way to learn! Good luck with your recycling efforts in Korea!
