Environment in Chinese 环境
huánjìng
Environment in Chinese is 环境 (huán jìng).
Also searched for as: environment, recycling, pollution, climate change.
How do we look after it? 15 essential the environment words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
The word for environment in Chinese is 环境 (huán jìng), which can mean the natural environment or simply your surroundings, such as a quiet neighbourhood. This list gives you the language to talk about looking after the planet: 保护 (bǎo hù), to protect, 污染 (wū rǎn), pollution, 回收 (huí shōu), to recycle, and bigger issues like 气候变化 (qì hòu biàn huà), climate change.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 环境 | huán jìng | environment |
| 保护 | bǎo hù | to protect |
| 污染 | wū rǎn | pollution |
| 空气 | kōng qì | air |
| 垃圾 | lā jī | rubbish |
| 回收 | huí shōu | to recycle |
| 节约 | jié yuē | to save (resources) |
| 能源 | néng yuán | energy |
| 气候变化 | qì hòu biàn huà | climate change |
| 全球变暖 | quán qiú biàn nuǎn | global warming |
| 塑料 | sù liào | plastic |
| 绿色 | lǜ sè | green; eco-friendly |
| 自然 | zì rán | nature; natural |
| 资源 | zī yuán | resources |
| 雾霾 | wù mái | smog |
Usage tips
- 环保 (huán bǎo), short for 环境保护, works as an adjective meaning eco-friendly: 这种袋子很环保 (zhè zhǒng dài zi hěn huán bǎo).
- Many mainland cities ask residents to sort their rubbish, 垃圾分类 (lā jī fēn lèi), into separate bins for recyclables, food waste and other waste.
- 垃圾 is lā jī on the mainland, but in Taiwan you'll often hear it pronounced lè sè.
Common mistakes
- Saying 很环境 for "very green" → 环境 is only a noun; use 环保: 很环保 (hěn huán bǎo).
- Translating "save water" as 救水 → 救 (jiù) means to rescue; say 节约用水 (jié yuē yòng shuǐ) or 省水 (shěng shuǐ).
Mini dialogue
- A这些瓶子你别扔，可以回收。Zhè xiē píng zi nǐ bié rēng, kě yǐ huí shōu.Don't throw those bottles away, they can be recycled.
- B好的。我们小区要求垃圾分类，我还不太习惯。Hǎo de. Wǒ men xiǎo qū yāo qiú lā jī fēn lèi, wǒ hái bù tài xí guàn.OK. Our estate makes us sort our rubbish, and I'm still not used to it.
- A慢慢就习惯了。保护环境，大家都应该出一份力。Màn man jiù xí guàn le. Bǎo hù huán jìng, dà jiā dōu yīng gāi chū yī fèn lì.You'll get used to it. Everyone should do their bit to protect the environment.
- B你说得对，以后买东西我也少用塑料袋。Nǐ shuō de duì, yǐ hòu mǎi dōng xi wǒ yě shǎo yòng sù liào dài.You're right. I'll use fewer plastic bags when I go shopping, too.
Example sentences
- 这里的环境又安静又干净。The surroundings here are quiet and clean.
- 我们要保护小动物。We should protect small animals.
- 这条河的污染很严重。The pollution in this river is serious.
- 雨后的空气特别新鲜。The air is especially fresh after rain.
- 请把垃圾扔进垃圾桶。Please put your rubbish in the bin.
- 这些瓶子都可以回收。All these bottles can be recycled.
- 大家要节约用水。Everyone should save water.
- 太阳能是一种干净的能源。Solar power is a clean form of energy.
- 气候变化让夏天越来越热。Climate change is making summers hotter and hotter.
- 全球变暖让北极的冰越来越少。Global warming means there's less and less ice in the Arctic.
- 买东西少用塑料袋。Use fewer plastic bags when you go shopping.
- 我们应该选择绿色出行。We should choose eco-friendly ways to travel.
- 我们要爱护自然。We must take care of nature.
- 水是很重要的资源。Water is a very important resource.
- 今天有雾霾，出门戴口罩吧。There's smog today, so wear a mask when you go out.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The The environment speaking island has 8 everyday questions about the environment to prepare your own answers to.