Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fossil Fuel" in Korean
“Fossil Fuel” in Korean is 화석 연료 (pronounced "hwaseok yeollyo").
화석 연료
hwaseok yeollyo
Usage & Context
Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable energy sources. South Korea relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy but is transitioning away. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases causing climate change.
Example Sentence
화석 연료를 줄이고 재생 에너지를 늘려야 해요.
We need to reduce fossil fuels and increase renewable energy.
How to use 화석 연료 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fossil Fuel” is 화석 연료, romanized as hwaseok yeollyo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 화석 연료.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "Hwa-seok Yeon-llyo." "Hwa" is like "hwa" in "flower." "Seok" rhymes with "sock." "Yeon" sounds like "yawn" but shorter. "Llyo" is like "yo" but with a strong 'l' sound before it, almost like "lyo" in "million." The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on "Hwa" and "Yeon."
More Example Sentences
Discussing environmental policy or personal actions with a group.
화석 연료 사용을 줄여야 기후 변화를 막을 수 있어요.
We must reduce fossil fuel use to prevent climate change.
In a news report or economic discussion about energy policy.
우리나라는 화석 연료 의존도가 높습니다.
Our country has a high dependency on fossil fuels.
Advocating for sustainable energy solutions in a public forum.
재생 에너지로 화석 연료를 대체해야 합니다.
We need to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Cultural Context
'화석 연료' (hwaseok yeollyo) is a term frequently encountered in Korean news, public discourse, and educational materials, especially concerning energy policy and climate change. South Korea, being a highly industrialized nation with limited natural resources, has historically relied heavily on imported fossil fuels. Therefore, discussions around reducing this dependency and transitioning to renewable energy sources are very prominent. You'll hear this term in debates about nuclear power, solar panels, and international climate agreements, reflecting a national effort to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Editorial note
We review entries like 화석 연료 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
화석 연료 고갈
Fossil fuel depletion
화석 연료 사용
Fossil fuel use
화석 연료 발전
Fossil fuel power generation
Related Expressions
재생 에너지
jaesaeng eneoji
Renewable energy
석탄
seoktan
Coal
석유
seogyu
Petroleum/Oil
천연가스
cheonyeongaeseu
Natural gas
More Environment Words
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