한국의 분리수거 문화
How Korea's Trash Recycling and Sorting System Works
Part of the July 19, 2026 daily edition
한국에서는 쓰레기를 종이, 플라스틱, 유리, 캔, 비닐로 나누어서 버립니다. 아파트에는 분리수거를 하는 곳이 따로 있습니다. 페트병은 라벨을 떼고 눌러서 버리는 것이 좋습니다. 분리수거를 잘 안 하면 돈을 내야 할 수도 있습니다. 분리수거는 쓰레기를 다시 사용하기 위해서 합니다.
Translation
In Korea, trash is separated into paper, plastic, glass, cans, and vinyl before being thrown away. Apartments have a separate place for recycling collection. It is good to remove the label and crush a PET bottle before throwing it away. If you don't separate your trash properly, you may have to pay money. Recycling is done so that trash can be reused.
Vocabulary
- 분리수거명사 (noun)separate collection (sorting recyclables); recycling
- 쓰레기명사 (noun)trash, garbage
- 나누다동사 (verb)to divide, to separate
- 버리다동사 (verb)to throw away
- 페트병명사 (noun)PET bottle
- 비닐명사 (noun)vinyl, plastic (bag/film)
- 돈명사 (noun)money
Grammar points
-아서/어서and then
Attaches to a verb stem to connect two actions in sequence, where the first action happens and leads into the second. Here it links sorting the trash and then throwing it away.
Example: 쓰레기를 종이, 플라스틱, 유리, 캔, 비닐로 나누어서 버립니다.
You separate the trash into paper, plastic, glass, cans, and vinyl, and then throw it away.
-는 것이 좋다it's good to ~
Attaches to a verb stem together with the present-tense modifier -는 to give a soft recommendation, meaning 'it's good to ~' or 'it's better to ~'.
Example: 페트병은 라벨을 떼고 눌러서 버리는 것이 좋습니다.
It's good to remove the label and crush a PET bottle before throwing it away.
-기 위해(서)in order to ~
Attaches to a verb stem to express the purpose of an action, meaning 'in order to ~'.
Example: 분리수거는 쓰레기를 다시 사용하기 위해서 합니다.
Recycling is done in order to reuse trash.
More in this edition
Society
Advanced
빠르게 늙어가는 한국 사회
Korea Becomes a Super-Aged Society as Elderly Top 20%
Life
Intermediate
배달의민족과 한국의 배달음식 문화
Baedal Minjok and Korea's Booming Food Delivery Culture
Culture
Intermediate
한복, 한국의 전통 의상
Hanbok: Korea's Traditional Dress Still Worn Today