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污染 — meaning in English: Pollution

wūrǎn · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for pollution
一周
yīzhōu
稳定性
wěndìng xìng
污染
wūrǎn
最爱
zuì ài
诞生
dànshēng
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 污染 (wūrǎn) when discussing environmental issues, particularly in urban settings where pollution is prevalent. For example, during conversations about air quality in cities like Beijing, you might hear someone lament the 污染 affecting their health or the local ecosystem.
Synonyms & nuances
While 污染 (wūrǎn) specifically refers to pollution in a broad sense, you might encounter words like 污物 (wūwù) meaning 'waste' or 'garbage,' which focuses more on physical refuse. Choosing 污染 over its synonyms is ideal when addressing the impact on air, water, or soil quality rather than just the presence of waste.
Culture
The term 污染 (wūrǎn) is composed of two characters: '污' (wū) meaning 'dirty' or 'filthy' and '染' (rǎn) meaning 'to dye' or 'to infect.' The combination suggests something that taints or infects the purity of the environment. Given China's rapid industrialization, discussions around 污染 have become deeply embedded in public consciousness, highlighting the ongoing struggle between development and environmental preservation.
FAQ
Q.What does 污染 mean in English?
污染 (wūrǎn) translates to 'pollution' in English, referring to the contamination of natural resources or the environment.
Q.How do you use 污染 in a sentence?
You can say, '城市的空气污染严重' (Chéngshì de kōngqì wūrǎn yánzhòng), which means 'The air pollution in the city is serious.'
Q.Are there any common mistakes with 污染?
A common mistake is confusing 污染 with 垃圾 (lājī), which means 'garbage' or 'trash.' Remember that 污染 refers to pollution in various forms, not just physical waste.
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