Meaning and Usage
"汚染" (おせん) means pollution or contamination, typically referring to environmental pollution such as air, water, or soil contamination. It is a noun used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about environmental issues.
Common Collocations
- 汚染物質 (おせんぶっしつ): pollutant substances, used when talking about specific harmful materials causing pollution.
- 環境汚染 (かんきょうおせん): environmental pollution, a common compound used in news and scientific contexts.
- 水質汚染 (すいしつおせん): water pollution, specifying the type of pollution.
Usage Notes
When using "汚染," speakers usually imply a negative impact on health or nature. It often appears in news reports, environmental campaigns, and scientific discussions.
A common learner mistake is confusing "汚染" with "汚す" (to dirty). "汚染" is a noun referring to the state or process of pollution, while "汚す" is a verb meaning to make something dirty.
Register
"汚染" is neutral to formal and appropriate in academic, media, and everyday conversations about pollution.