Korean Dictionary
How to say "Waste Separation" in Korean
“Waste Separation” in Korean is 쓰레기 분리수거 (pronounced "sseuRegi bullisugeo").
쓰레기 분리수거
sseuRegi bullisugeo
Usage & Context
Waste separation or 쓰레기 분리수거 is legally required in South Korea. Koreans separate garbage into categories: plastic, paper, glass, food waste, and general trash. Violations can result in fines.
Example Sentence
쓰레기 분리수거를 철저히 해야 해요.
You must do waste separation thoroughly.
How to use 쓰레기 분리수거 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Waste Separation” is 쓰레기 분리수거, romanized as sseuRegi bullisugeo.
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 쓰레기 분리수거.
Pronunciation Guide
For 쓰레기 (sseuregi), 'sseu' is a tense 's' sound (like 'tsu' without the 't'), 're' is like 'ray', and 'gi' is like 'gee'. For 분리수거 (bullisugeo), 'bul' is like 'bool' (as in 'pool'), 'li' is like 'lee', 'su' is like 'soo', and 'geo' is like 'guh' (as in 'bug'). Say it as 'SSUE-ray-GEE BOOL-lee-SOO-guh', with emphasis on 'ray' and 'soo'.
More Example Sentences
Explaining rules for apartment living.
아파트에서는 쓰레기 분리수거를 정해진 요일에 해야 해요.
In apartments, you have to do waste separation on designated days.
Warning about legal consequences.
쓰레기 분리수거를 안 하면 벌금을 낼 수도 있어요.
If you don't do waste separation, you might have to pay a fine.
Specific instruction for a type of waste.
음식물 쓰레기는 따로 분리수거해야 합니다.
Food waste must be separated and collected separately.
Cultural Context
'쓰레기 분리수거' is a fundamental aspect of daily life in South Korea and is strictly enforced by law. Residents must meticulously separate waste into categories like general waste, food waste, recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, metal), and sometimes even specific items like Styrofoam or clothing. Each category often has specific collection days and methods. Foreigners often find this system complex initially, but it's a deeply ingrained habit for Koreans, reflecting a strong national commitment to recycling and environmental responsibility.
Editorial note
We review entries like 쓰레기 분리수거 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
분리수거하다
to do waste separation
쓰레기 버리다
to throw away trash
분리수거함
recycling bin/container
Related Expressions
재활용
jaehwalyong
recycling
음식물 쓰레기
eumsikmul sseuregi
food waste
일반 쓰레기
ilban sseuregi
general waste
종량제 봉투
jongnyangje bongtu
standard garbage bags (for general waste, purchased by volume)
More Environment Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Waste Separation and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
