Korean Dictionary
How to say "Water Pollution" in Korean
“Water Pollution” in Korean is 수질 오염 (pronounced "sujil oyeom").
수질 오염
sujil oyeom
Usage & Context
Water pollution affects rivers, lakes, and groundwater quality. Korea has worked hard to improve water quality in the Han River and other waterways. Industrial and agricultural runoff are major sources of water pollution.
Example Sentence
수질 오염으로 인해 강물을 마실 수 없어요.
River water cannot be drunk due to water pollution.
How to use 수질 오염 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Water Pollution” is 수질 오염, romanized as sujil oyeom.
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 수질 오염.
Pronunciation Guide
"Su" sounds like "soo" in "soon." "Jil" is like "jill" in "Jill." "O" is like "oh." "Yeom" rhymes with "yum."
More Example Sentences
Explaining a cause of river pollution.
공장 폐수 때문에 강물의 수질 오염이 심각해요.
Water pollution in the river is severe due to factory wastewater.
Suggesting a solution to water quality issues.
수질 오염을 막기 위해 하수 처리 시설을 개선해야 합니다.
To prevent water pollution, wastewater treatment facilities must be improved.
Describing a consequence of severe water pollution.
이 호수는 수질 오염이 심해서 수영할 수 없어요.
This lake is too severely water-polluted to swim in.
Cultural Context
'수질 오염' is a historically significant issue in Korea, especially concerning major rivers like the Han River (한강, Hangang). Decades ago, the Han River was heavily polluted, but extensive government efforts have significantly improved its quality, making it a symbol of environmental recovery. Discussions often revolve around industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and the importance of clean drinking water.
Editorial note
We review entries like 수질 오염 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
수질 오염 방지
Prevention of water pollution
수질 오염 문제
Water pollution problem
수질 오염 심각
Severe water pollution
Related Expressions
물 오염
mul oyeom
Water pollution (more general)
강물 오염
gangmul oyeom
River water pollution
대기 오염
daegi oyeom
Air pollution
환경 규제
hwangyeong gyuje
Environmental regulations
More Environment Words
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