쓰레기통
sseuregitong[s͈ɯɾe̞ɡitʰo̞ŋ]
The Korean phrase for trash can is 쓰레기통 (sseuregitong).
쓰레기통 refers to a container used for holding waste materials. If you are in a situation where you need to indicate a trash can but cannot remember the word, you can simply say 쓰레기 while pointing toward the object to convey your message.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 쓰레기통 is a compound formed from 쓰레기, meaning trash and 통, meaning container or can.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 쓰레기통 does not change its form based on number or case in common usage.
How do you pronounce it?
sseuregitong
Did you know?
- Because the word 쓰레기 (trash) is sometimes used in slang to describe someone or something of low quality, calling a person 'sseuregi' is a very harsh insult.
- In many public spaces in Korea, you will find very few 쓰레기통 on the streets compared to Western cities. This is a deliberate urban policy to encourage people to carry their trash home.
- Korea uses a specialized 'volume-rate' system where you must buy government-approved bags, often called 종량제 봉투, to use in your 쓰레기통.
Examples in context
- 쓰레기통 좀 비워줄래?Could you empty the trash can?This sentence is useful for asking someone to empty the 쓰레기통.
- 새로 산 쓰레기통이 정말 커요.saero san sseuregitong-i jeongmal keoyo.The new trash can I bought is really big.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are cleaning up their living room.
- 민지 Min-ji민준아, 빈 쓰레기통 좀 가져다줄래?Minjun-a, bin sseuregitong jom gajyeodajullae?Minjun, can you bring me an empty trash can?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 여기 있어.Eung, yeogi isseo.Sure, here it is.
- 민지 Min-ji고마워, 이 쓰레기통은 정말 작다.Gomawo, i sseuregitong-eun jeongmal jakda.Thanks, this trash can is really small.
- 민준 Min-jun그러니까 큰 걸로 다시 사자.Geureonikka keun geollo dasi saja.That's why we should buy a bigger one instead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 쓰레기통, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
