Meaning
污染 refers to the act of making something dirty, impure, or harmful by introducing pollutants, or the state of being polluted. It is commonly used to discuss environmental issues like air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination, as well as metaphorical contamination of ideas or culture.
Usage
This word is extremely common in discussions about environmental issues and public health. It can be used as both a verb (to pollute) and a noun (pollution). Often appears in compound words specifying the type of pollution, such as 空气污染 (air pollution) or 水污染 (water pollution). The tone is serious and typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts.
Examples
- 01工厂排放的废气严重污染了空气。.The waste gas discharged by the factory has seriously polluted the air.
- 02我们应该采取措施减少环境污染。.We should take measures to reduce environmental pollution.
Characters
Common collocations
- 空气污染air pollution
- 水污染water pollution
- 环境污染environmental pollution
- 污染源source of pollution
Antonyms
Origin
The character 污 originally meant dirty water or filth, while 染 meant to dye or stain. Together they form a compound meaning to make something dirty or impure, which naturally extended to the modern concept of environmental pollution.