Understanding and correctly following recycling rules is crucial when living in or visiting Korea, as the system can be quite specific. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases to help you learn and discuss how to properly sort recyclable waste, ensuring you can manage your trash responsibly and communicate effectively about recycling procedures.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 재활용 쓰레기 분리 방법 배우기
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong sseu-re-gi bun-ri bang-beop bae-u-gi
Meaning: Learning how to sort recycling waste
Basic Recycling Terms
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Expression: 재활용
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong
Meaning: Recycling -
Expression: 쓰레기
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Trash, waste -
Expression: 분리수거
Pronunciation: bun-ri-su-geo
Meaning: Separate collection (for recycling) -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi
Meaning: General waste (non-recyclable) -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기
Pronunciation: eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi
Meaning: Food waste -
Expression: 플라스틱
Pronunciation: peul-la-seu-tik
Meaning: Plastic -
Expression: 종이
Pronunciation: jong-i
Meaning: Paper -
Expression: 유리
Pronunciation: yu-ri
Meaning: Glass -
Expression: 캔
Pronunciation: kaen
Meaning: Can (aluminum/steel) -
Expression: 비닐
Pronunciation: bi-nil
Meaning: Vinyl, plastic bags/wrap -
Expression: 스티로폼
Pronunciation: seu-ti-ro-pom
Meaning: Styrofoam -
Expression: 재활용품
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong-pum
Meaning: Recyclable items
Asking About Sorting Methods
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Expression: 이거 어떻게 버려요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: How do I throw this away? -
Expression: 이건 재활용 되나요?
Pronunciation: i-geon jae-hwal-yong doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this recyclable? -
Expression: 플라스틱은 어디에 버려요?
Pronunciation: peul-la-seu-tik-eun eo-di-e beo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: Where do I throw away plastic? -
Expression: 종이 박스는 어떻게 분리해요?
Pronunciation: jong-i bak-seu-neun eo-tteo-ke bun-ri-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I separate cardboard boxes? -
Expression: 유리병은 헹궈서 버려야 해요?
Pronunciation: yu-ri-byeong-eun heng-gwo-seo beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to rinse glass bottles before throwing them away? -
Expression: 라벨은 제거해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ra-ber-eun je-geo-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to remove the label? -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 따로 버려야 하죠?
Pronunciation: eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi-neun tta-ro beo-ryeo-ya ha-jyo?
Meaning: Food waste needs to be thrown out separately, right? -
Expression: 비닐은 어디에 넣어요?
Pronunciation: bi-nir-eun eo-di-e neo-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where do plastic bags/wraps go? -
Expression: 재활용 분리수거 방법을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong bun-ri-su-geo bang-beo-beul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to sort recycling. -
Expression: 이 스티로폼은 재활용이 안 되나요?
Pronunciation: i seu-ti-ro-pom-eun jae-hwal-yong-i an doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this styrofoam not recyclable? -
Expression: 일반 쓰레기 봉투는 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: il-ban sseu-re-gi bong-tu-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Where do I buy general waste bags?
Explaining and Understanding Sorting Rules
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Expression: 내용물을 비우고 헹궈서 버리세요.
Pronunciation: nae-yong-mur-eul bi-u-go heng-gwo-seo beo-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Please empty the contents, rinse, and throw it away. -
Expression: 라벨과 뚜껑을 제거해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ra-bel-gwa ttu-kkeong-eul je-geo-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove the label and the lid. -
Expression: 종이는 접어서 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: jong-i-neun jeo-beo-seo beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please fold the paper before throwing it away. -
Expression: 박스는 테이프를 제거하고 납작하게 만드세요.
Pronunciation: bak-seu-neun te-i-peu-reul je-geo-ha-go nap-ja-ka-ge man-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Remove the tape from the box and flatten it. -
Expression: 이것은 일반 쓰레기로 버려야 합니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun il-ban sseu-re-gi-ro beo-ryeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This must be thrown away as general waste. -
Expression: 음식물 쓰레기는 물기를 제거하고 버리세요.
Pronunciation: eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi-neun mul-kki-reul je-geo-ha-go beo-ri-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove moisture from food waste before disposal. -
Expression: 캔과 병은 따로 분리해 주세요.
Pronunciation: kaen-gwa byeong-eun tta-ro bun-ri-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please separate cans and bottles. -
Expression: 깨끗한 비닐만 재활용 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeu-tan bi-nil-man jae-hwal-yong ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Only clean plastic wrap/bags are recyclable. -
Expression: 스티로폼은 이물질을 제거하고 버려야 해요.
Pronunciation: seu-ti-ro-pom-eun i-mul-jji-reul je-geo-ha-go beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: Styrofoam must be cleaned of foreign substances before disposal. -
Expression: 재활용 마크를 확인하세요.
Pronunciation: jae-hwal-yong ma-keu-reul hwa-gin-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the recycling mark. -
Expression: 지정된 요일에만 배출 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-jeong-doen yo-ir-e-man bae-chul ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Disposal is only possible on designated days.
Korean Culture Notes
Recycling (분리수거 – bun-ri-su-geo) is taken very seriously in Korea. Each neighborhood or apartment complex often has specific days and locations for disposing of different types of recyclables.
General waste (일반 쓰레기 – il-ban sseu-re-gi) must be disposed of in designated, pre-paid trash bags (종량제 봉투 – jong-nyang-je bong-tu) specific to the district you are in. These bags can usually be purchased at local convenience stores or supermarkets.
Food waste (음식물 쓰레기 – eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi) disposal rules vary significantly by area. Some places use special bags, others use designated bins with RFID tags, and some require payment based on weight. It’s crucial to check the local regulations.
Items must often be cleaned before recycling. For example, plastic containers and bottles should be rinsed, and labels/tape removed. Failure to follow rules can sometimes result in fines or waste not being collected.
Observing how your neighbors or building residents sort their trash is often the best way to learn the specific local rules. Don’t hesitate to ask a building manager (관리인 – gwan-ri-in) or a neighbor if you are unsure.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A new resident (A) asks the apartment building manager (B) about how to dispose of a plastic delivery container.
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Expression: A: 관리인님, 안녕하세요. 이 플라스틱 용기는 어떻게 버려야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: gwan-ri-in-nim, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i peul-la-seu-tik yong-gi-neun eo-tteo-ke beo-ryeo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, manager. How should I dispose of this plastic container? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 먼저 내용물을 깨끗이 헹궈주시고요, 붙어있는 비닐 라벨은 제거해서 일반 쓰레기로 버려주세요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. meon-jeo nae-yong-mur-eul kkae-kkeu-si heng-gwo-ju-si-go-yo, bu-teo-in-neun bi-nil ra-ber-eun je-geo-hae-seo il-ban sseu-re-gi-ro beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. First, please rinse the contents cleanly, and remove the attached plastic label and throw it away as general waste. -
Expression: A: 네, 헹구고 라벨은 제거했어요. 그럼 이 용기는 어디에 버리면 되나요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, heng-gu-go ra-ber-eun je-geo-haess-eo-yo. geu-reom i yong-gi-neun eo-di-e beo-ri-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ve rinsed it and removed the label. So where should I throw this container? -
Expression: B: 깨끗한 플라스틱 용기는 저쪽 플라스틱 분리수거함에 넣으시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: kkae-kkeu-tan peul-la-seu-tik yong-gi-neun jeo-jjok peul-la-seu-tik bun-ri-su-geo-ham-e neo-eu-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: You can put the clean plastic container in the plastic recycling bin over there. -
Expression: A: 아, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: a, al-get-sseum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Ah, I understand. Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네, 분리수거 잘 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, bun-ri-su-geo jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, please make sure to sort your recycling properly.
Practice Tips
Mastering Korean recycling rules takes practice! Start by carefully examining the recycling bins in your area – they often have pictures or labels indicating what goes where. Try sorting your own trash according to the rules you’ve learned~!
Don’t be afraid to use the phrases you learned here. Ask a convenience store clerk where to buy the official trash bags (종량제 봉투 어디서 팔아요? – jong-nyang-je bong-tu eo-di-seo pa-ra-yo?) or ask a neighbor if you’re unsure about an item (이거 재활용 돼요? – i-geo jae-hwal-yong dwae-yo?). Real-life practice is the best way to become confident!
You can also find detailed guides online provided by your local district office (구청 – gu-cheong). Look for terms like 재활용 분리 배출 방법 (jae-hwal-yong bun-ri bae-chul bang-beop – recycling separate disposal method). Keep practicing, and soon sorting recyclables in Korean will feel natural!
