Zero Waste Challenge: Let’s Finish Our Meal! 😋
Introduction
Hello! This is Daily Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills! 👋
Today, we are going to talk about a very important topic: Protecting the Environment (Hwangyeong Boho)! 🌏 specifically by reducing food waste.
Have you seen Korean variety shows like I Live Alone or Youn’s Kitchen? You might notice how strictly Koreans separate their trash. Reducing food waste is a huge part of daily life in Korea! Let’s learn how to order just enough and promise to clean our plates. Let’s save the Earth together! 🌱
Core Expressions
Here are 3 useful expressions to help you become an eco-friendly Korean speaker!
1. 다 먹을게요 (I will eat it all)
- Pronunciation: [Da meogeulgeyo]
- Meaning: I will eat it all.
- Detail: Use this when you want to show your determination to finish your food. It’s a polite way to tell someone not to worry about leftovers!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㄹ’ in ‘을 (eul)’ flows into the next syllable ‘게 (ge)’, making it sound smooth like [meogeul-geyo].
2. 조금만 주세요 (Please give me just a little)
- Pronunciation: [Jogeumman juseyo]
- Meaning: Please give me just a little.
- Detail: If you are on a diet or just not very hungry, say this when ordering or being served. It prevents wasting food later!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Even though it is written as ‘Jogeum’, when combined with ‘man’, the ‘m’ sound is strong. Say it like [Jogum-man].
3. 남기지 말자 (Let’s not leave any leftovers)
- Pronunciation: [Namgiji malja]
- Meaning: Let’s not leave (food) behind.
- Detail: This is a casual suggestion (Banmal) you can use with friends. ‘Namgida’ means to leave/save, and ‘Malja’ means let’s not.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: ‘Malja’ sounds soft. Don’t stress the ‘j’ too hard!
Real Conversation
Situation: Minji and Jason are at a delicious K-BBQ restaurant.
Minji: 우와, 반찬이 진짜 많다!
(Uwa, banchani jinjja manta!)
Wow, there are so many side dishes!
Jason: 사장님, 저희 김치는 조금만 주세요.
(Sajangnim, jeohui gimchineun jogeumman juseyo.)
Owner, please give us just a little Kimchi.
Minji: 왜? 김치 안 좋아해?
(Wae? Gimchi an joahae?)
Why? Don’t you like Kimchi?
Jason: 아니, 좋아해. 하지만 남기지 말자. 지구를 지켜야지!
(Ani, joahae. Hajiman namgiji malja. Jigureul jikyeoyaji!)
No, I like it. But let’s not leave leftovers. We have to protect the Earth!
Minji: 멋있다! 그럼 고기는 내가 다 먹을게!
(Meositta! Geureom gogineun naega da meogeulge!)
Cool! Then I will eat all the meat!
Culture Tip 🇰🇷
“The Yellow Bag System”
In Korea, you cannot just throw food waste in a normal trash bin! 🙅♀️ You must separate it into special Food Waste Bags (음식물 쓰레기 봉투), which are usually yellow. In many modern apartments, there are high-tech RFID bins that weigh your waste and charge you accordingly!
So, saying “I will eat it all” isn’t just polite—it saves money and follows the strict Korean recycling rules!
Conclusion & Quiz
Great job today! You are now ready to enjoy a Korean meal while being an eco-hero! 🦸♂️🦸♀️
Let’s check what you learned:
- How do you say “Please give me just a little” in Korean?
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True or False: In Korea, you can throw food waste in the regular trash bin.
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Answers:
1. 조금만 주세요 (Jogeumman juseyo)
2. False (You must use special bags or bins!)
