Level 5

악취

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Meaning and Usage

The Korean word '악취' (akchwi) specifically refers to a very unpleasant, strong bad smell or stench. It is often used in contexts involving garbage, sewage, factories, or any place where a foul odor is present.

Common Contexts

You will frequently hear '악취' when talking about environmental issues, sanitation problems, or complaints about unpleasant smells in neighborhoods or public places.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 악취가 나다: to emit a bad smell
  • 악취를 풍기다: to give off a stench
  • 악취 제거: removal of bad odor
  • 악취 때문에: because of the stench

These collocations help express the presence, source, or impact of the bad smell.

Register and Politeness

'악취' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is common in news reports, official complaints, and everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '악취' with general words for smell like '냄새' (naemsae). Remember, '악취' always implies a very unpleasant or offensive odor, while '냄새' can be neutral or even pleasant.

Example Sentences

쓰레기장에서 나는 악취 때문에 숨쉬기 힘들었다.

Sseuregijangeseo naneun akchwi ttaemune sumswigi himdeureotda.

It was hard to breathe because of the stench coming from the garbage dump.

하수구에서 올라오는 악취를 없애기 위해 청소를 자주 해야 한다.

Hasugueseo ollaneun akchwireul eopsaegi wihae cheongsoleul jaju haeya handa.

We need to clean frequently to get rid of the stench coming from the sewer.

그 공장 주변은 악취 때문에 주민들이 불만을 토로하고 있다.

Geu gongjang jubyeoneun akchwi ttaemune jumindeuri bulmaneul toro hago itda.

Residents around that factory are complaining because of the stench.