Korean Dictionary
How to say "Smog" in Korean
“Smog” in Korean is 스모그 (pronounced "seumogeu").
스모그
seumogeu
Usage & Context
Smog is a type of air pollution created by the interaction of sunlight with pollutants. Korean cities can experience smog especially in winter and early spring. Vehicle emissions and industrial activity contribute to smog in Korea.
Example Sentence
스모그가 심한 날에는 야외 활동을 피해요.
On days with heavy smog, I avoid outdoor activities.
How to use 스모그 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Smog” is 스모그, romanized as seumogeu.
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 스모그.
Pronunciation Guide
This is a loanword, '스모그' (seumogeu). It's pronounced 'seu-moh-goo,' with 'seu' like 'soo' in 'soup,' 'mo' like 'moh' in 'more,' and 'geu' like 'goo' in 'good,' but with a softer 'g' sound.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about physical discomfort due to air quality.
오늘 스모그 때문에 목이 너무 아파요.
My throat really hurts today because of the smog.
Explaining why windows were kept closed.
스모그가 심해서 창문을 열 수 없었어요.
The smog was so bad I couldn't open the windows.
Referring to a weather forecast.
뉴스에서 내일 스모그 농도가 높을 거라고 예보했어요.
The news predicted high smog levels tomorrow.
Cultural Context
While '스모그' (smog) is understood, Koreans more commonly use '미세먼지' (misemeonji, fine dust) to refer to air pollution, which is a significant daily concern. On days with high '미세먼지' or '스모그,' people wear masks (마스크), check air quality apps, and avoid outdoor activities. Air purifiers (공기 청정기) are common in homes and offices, reflecting the serious impact of air pollution on daily life and health in Korea.
Editorial note
We review entries like 스모그 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
스모그가 심하다.
The smog is heavy/severe.
스모그 주의보.
Smog advisory.
스모그 마스크.
Smog mask.
Related Expressions
미세먼지
misemeonji
fine dust
대기 오염
daegi oyeom
air pollution
황사
hwangsa
yellow dust (from China/Mongolia)
공기 청정기
gonggi cheongjeonggi
air purifier
More Environment Words
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