수질 오염
sujil oyeom
수질 오염 (sujil oyeom) is the Korean phrase for water pollution.
수질 오염 is used to describe the contamination of water. If you want to express the specific action of causing water pollution, you can use the phrase 수질 오염을 일으키다.
Meaning: contamination of water (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 수질 (sujil), meaning 'water quality' and 오염 (oyeom), meaning 'pollution'.
How do you pronounce it?
sujil oyeom
Did you know?
- While English uses 'pollution' as a general term, the Korean 오염 can also be used metaphorically to describe 'moral corruption' or the 'tainting' of one's mind.
- The second syllable of 오염, 염 (yeom), is the same character used in the word for 'dye' or 'staining', implying that pollution is seen as a way of 'dyeing' or 'staining' the water.
- In a medical context, 오염 is the same word used to describe a 'contaminated' or infected wound.
Examples in context
- 저는 수질 오염에 대해 걱정하고 있어요.I am worried about water pollution.
- 수질 오염은 매우 심각한 문제입니다.sujil oyeom-eun maeu simgak-han munje-imnida.Water pollution is a very serious problem.
- 수질 오염을 줄이기 위해 노력해야 해요.sujil oyeom-eul jul-igi wihae noryeok-hae-ya hae-yo.We must strive to reduce water pollution.
- 공장 폐수는 수질 오염의 원인이 됩니다.gongjang pyesu-neun sujil oyeom-ui won-in-i doemnida.Factory wastewater causes water pollution.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing an environmental science report.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 수질 오염에 대해 조사해 봤어요?Seoyeon ssi, sujil oyeom-e dae-hae josa-hae bwasseoyo?Seoyeon, have you researched water pollution?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 민준 씨. 자료를 많이 찾아봤어요.Ne, Minjun ssi. Jaryo-reul mani chaja-bwasseoyo.Yes, Minjun. I looked up a lot of data.
- 민준 Min-jun수질 오염이 정말 심각하더라고요.sujil oyeom-i jeongmal simgak-hadeoragoyo.Water pollution is truly serious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 우리 모두 조심해야 해요.Majayo, uri modu josim-hae-ya hae-yo.That's right, we all need to be careful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 수질, 오염, CC BY-SA 4.0.
