§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
The word "waste" is incredibly common and versatile, appearing in a wide range of contexts in everyday life. Understanding these contexts will deepen your grasp of its meaning and usage. You'll encounter "waste" frequently in discussions related to work, school, and news, often carrying significant implications.
§ In the Workplace
In a professional setting, "waste" is a word you'll hear often, particularly in discussions about efficiency, productivity, and resource management. Businesses are constantly striving to minimize waste to improve their bottom line and environmental impact.
- Common Workplace Phrases
- Waste of time: This is perhaps one of the most common applications. When a meeting is unproductive, a task is unnecessary, or a process is inefficient, people will often say it's a "waste of time."
- Waste of resources/money: Companies are always looking to avoid unnecessary spending or misallocation of materials.
- Waste not, want not: This idiom, though less formal, encapsulates a key business principle of careful resource management.
You might hear managers discuss how to "cut down on waste" in manufacturing, or how to "eliminate wasted effort" in project management. In software development, teams might talk about not wanting to "waste development cycles" on features that aren't truly needed. Environmental initiatives in the workplace often focus on reducing physical waste, such as paper or plastic.
The new protocol aims to prevent us from continuing to waste time on redundant approval processes.
Investing in outdated technology will inevitably waste company funds in the long run.
§ In an Educational Setting
At school or university, "waste" often relates to study habits, educational opportunities, and even the allocation of public funds for education.
- School-Related Uses
- Waste an opportunity: Students are often advised not to "waste" the chance to learn or participate in extracurricular activities.
- Waste time studying inefficiently: Educators might guide students on how not to "waste" their study time through ineffective methods.
- Waste of potential: This refers to someone not fulfilling their abilities due to lack of effort or opportunity.
Professors might lament students who "waste their potential" by not engaging with the material. Discussions about school budgets often involve concerns about whether funds are being "wasted" on administrative overhead rather than direct student support. Students themselves might complain about a boring lecture being a "waste of an hour."
If you don't actively participate in class discussions, you'll simply waste a valuable learning experience.
Many students waste their study hours by constantly checking social media instead of focusing.
§ In the News and Public Discourse
News reports frequently use "waste" when discussing governmental spending, environmental issues, and economic policies. It's a word that can evoke strong public sentiment regarding accountability and efficiency.
- News Headlines and Public Debates
- Governmental waste: A frequent topic in political reporting, referring to inefficient or unnecessary public spending.
- Food waste: A major environmental and social concern, highlighted in articles about sustainability and poverty.
- Energy waste: Discussed in relation to climate change and resource conservation.
You might read headlines about a government department being accused of "wasting taxpayer money" on a failed project, or environmental activists campaigning to reduce "food waste" across the supply chain. Economic analysts might warn that certain policies could "waste national resources" or lead to "wasted investments." The concept of "wasted potential" can also appear in sociological discussions about communities or demographics.
Critics argue that the proposed mega-project will only waste billions in public funds without delivering tangible benefits.
New regulations aim to prevent factories from continuing to waste contaminated water into local rivers.
By observing how "waste" is used in these diverse environments, you can better understand its nuances and the impact it carries. Whether in a casual conversation about a "wasted afternoon" or a formal debate about "wasted government spending," the core meaning of using something valuable ineffectively remains consistent.
수준별 예문
Don't waste food; eat everything on your plate.
No malgastes comida; come todo lo que hay en tu plato.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (food).
He likes to waste time playing video games.
Le gusta malgastar el tiempo jugando videojuegos.
Using 'waste time' followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Please don't waste water when you brush your teeth.
Por favor, no desperdicies agua cuando te cepilles los dientes.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (water).
It's a waste of money to buy things you don't need.
Es un desperdicio de dinero comprar cosas que no necesitas.
Using 'waste' as a noun in the phrase 'a waste of money'.
She didn't want to waste her chance to travel.
Ella no quería desaprovechar su oportunidad de viajar.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (chance).
Don't waste energy by leaving the lights on.
No malgastes energía dejando las luces encendidas.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (energy).
They waste a lot of paper at school.
Ellos desperdician mucho papel en la escuela.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (paper).
We shouldn't waste our holidays staying at home.
No deberíamos desperdiciar nuestras vacaciones quedándonos en casa.
Using 'waste' with a direct object (holidays) followed by a gerund.
문법 패턴
문장 패턴
Don't waste [time/money/energy] on [something useless].
Don't waste your time on that project; it's going nowhere.
[Someone] wasted [their] [opportunity/talent].
He wasted his opportunity to go to college.
It's a waste of [time/money/effort] to [do something].
It's a complete waste of money to buy another car right now.
[Someone] wasted no time in [doing something].
She wasted no time in reporting the incident.
To waste [something] on [someone/something].
Why waste good advice on someone who won't listen?
[Something] is being wasted.
So much food is being wasted every day.
Waste not, want not.
My grandmother always said, 'Waste not, want not,' and she never threw anything away.
[Someone] wasted [their] breath.
I tried to explain it to him, but I think I wasted my breath.
셀프 테스트 30 질문
Write a short sentence about something you should not waste.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I should not waste food.
Complete the sentence: 'Don't waste ____.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Don't waste water.
Write a simple sentence using the word 'waste' to talk about time.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I don't want to waste time.
What should you not waste?
Read this passage:
My mom says, 'Don't waste food.' We should eat all of our dinner. It is good to finish what is on our plate.
What should you not waste?
The passage says, 'Don't waste food.'
The passage says, 'Don't waste food.'
What does the brother waste?
Read this passage:
My brother plays games all day. He wastes a lot of time. He should study for school.
What does the brother waste?
The passage says, 'He wastes a lot of time.'
The passage says, 'He wastes a lot of time.'
What should you turn off to not waste water?
Read this passage:
It is important to save water. We should not waste water when we brush our teeth. Turn off the tap!
What should you turn off to not waste water?
The passage says, 'Turn off the tap!' to not waste water.
The passage says, 'Turn off the tap!' to not waste water.
Don't ___ water, turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
To 'waste' water means to use it carelessly or for no good reason. We should save water.
She didn't want to ___ her money on expensive clothes.
To 'waste' money means to spend it on things that are not useful or important.
We shouldn't ___ food. Eat everything on your plate.
To 'waste' food means to throw it away when it could be eaten.
He felt like he would ___ his time if he didn't study for the test.
To 'waste' time means to use it without achieving anything useful.
It's important not to ___ electricity. Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
To 'waste' electricity means to use it when it's not needed, like leaving lights on.
Don't ___ your energy on arguing about small things.
To 'waste' energy means to use it on something that is not important or helpful.
Which of these is a way to waste food?
Throwing away good food means you are not using it and it becomes waste.
What does it mean if you 'waste time'?
To waste time means to spend it on things that are not useful or important.
If you leave the lights on when you are not in the room, you might 'waste'...
Leaving lights on when not needed uses electricity without a purpose, so you waste it.
It's good to waste water when you brush your teeth.
No, it's not good to waste water. You should turn off the tap when you brush your teeth to save water.
If you buy clothes you don't need, you are wasting money.
Yes, if you buy things you don't need, you are spending money on them for no useful purpose, which is wasting money.
Playing games all day and not doing homework is a way to waste time.
Yes, if you play games all day instead of doing important things like homework, you are not using your time effectively, which is wasting time.
Financial advice.
About managing time.
About food consumption.
Read this aloud:
Try not to waste water when you brush your teeth.
Focus: waste water
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
It's a waste of energy to leave the lights on all day.
Focus: waste of energy
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
I feel like I wasted my time trying to fix it.
Focus: wasted my time
당신의 답변:
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Imagine you are responsible for managing the finances of a small business. Describe a situation where you might accidentally 'waste' money, and explain what measures you would put in place to prevent such waste in the future.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
In a small business, it's easy to waste money on unnecessary office supplies if there isn't a clear inventory system. For example, frequently buying new pens or paper when there are already plenty in storage. To prevent this, I would implement a strict budgeting system for office supplies, appoint one person to be responsible for inventory checks, and require all purchase requests to be approved by a manager after checking stock levels. This way, we can avoid inefficient spending and ensure every purchase is justified.
Write a short paragraph explaining how individuals can 'waste' time in their daily lives and suggest three practical strategies to manage time more effectively.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Many people waste time daily through endless scrolling on social media, unnecessary meetings, or simply by procrastinating on important tasks. These activities often lead to a feeling of being unproductive and stressed. To combat this, one strategy is to create a daily 'to-do' list and prioritize tasks by importance. Another effective method is to use the 'Pomodoro Technique', working for focused periods and taking short breaks. Finally, minimizing digital distractions by turning off notifications during work hours can significantly improve time management and productivity.
Discuss the environmental implications of 'wasting' resources like water or electricity at home. What small changes can a household make to reduce this waste?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Wasting resources like water and electricity at home has significant environmental implications, contributing to increased energy consumption and a larger carbon footprint. For instance, leaving lights on in empty rooms or taking excessively long showers unnecessarily depletes natural resources and increases utility bills. To reduce this waste, households can make small but impactful changes such as unplugging electronics when not in use, taking shorter showers, using energy-efficient appliances, and fixing leaky faucets promptly. These actions promote sustainability and help preserve our planet's resources.
According to the passage, what is a common way people waste money?
Read this passage:
A common way people waste money is by not comparing prices before making a purchase. Many consumers simply buy the first item they see that meets their needs, even if a cheaper or better alternative is available elsewhere. This often happens with groceries, electronics, and even large investments like insurance policies. Taking a few extra minutes to research can lead to significant savings over time.
According to the passage, what is a common way people waste money?
The passage explicitly states, 'A common way people waste money is by not comparing prices before making a purchase.'
The passage explicitly states, 'A common way people waste money is by not comparing prices before making a purchase.'
What is suggested as a solution to reduce paper waste in offices?
Read this passage:
In many offices, it's easy to waste paper due to printing errors or unnecessary copies. A simple solution is to review documents on screen before printing and to encourage employees to use digital alternatives whenever possible. Implementing a 'think before you print' policy can significantly reduce paper consumption and contribute to a greener workplace.
What is suggested as a solution to reduce paper waste in offices?
The passage suggests, 'A simple solution is to review documents on screen before printing.'
The passage suggests, 'A simple solution is to review documents on screen before printing.'
What is a key factor in students wasting study time, according to the passage?
Read this passage:
Some students waste valuable study time by getting distracted by their phones or engaging in non-academic activities during designated study periods. Effective time management and creating a distraction-free environment are crucial for maximizing learning. Setting specific goals for each study session can also help maintain focus.
What is a key factor in students wasting study time, according to the passage?
The passage states, 'Some students waste valuable study time by getting distracted by their phones or engaging in non-academic activities during designated study periods.'
The passage states, 'Some students waste valuable study time by getting distracted by their phones or engaging in non-academic activities during designated study periods.'
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
예시
I wasted the whole afternoon browsing social media instead of finishing my report.
관련 콘텐츠
맥락에서 배우기
Environment 관련 단어
renewable
B2A renewable refers to a source of energy that is naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, or rain. In modern contexts, it is most commonly used in the plural form, 'renewables,' to describe the industry or the technologies used to generate clean power.
bonfire
B2축제나 행사를 기념하기 위해 야외에서 크게 피우는 불이야. 캠프파이어보다 훨씬 큰 규모인 경우가 많아.
obvalive
C1지질학적으로나 비유적으로, 갑작스러운 붕괴나 파멸적인 하향 이동 경향을 묘사해요.
climate
B2Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in a particular region over many years. It can also describe the prevailing mood, conditions, or social atmosphere of a specific time or place.
ozone
B2Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also produced at ground level as a pollutant when sunlight reacts with industrial emissions.
environmental
A2공기, 물, 동물 등 자연과 관련된 것을 말해요. 주로 인간의 활동으로부터 자연을 보호한다는 맥락에서 쓰입니다.
pollution
B2Pollution refers to the introduction of harmful materials into the environment, which can damage the air, water, and land. It is a major global issue that results from human activities like industrial processes, transportation, and waste disposal.
deforestation
B2Deforestation is the permanent removal or clearing of forests and trees on a large scale, typically to repurpose the land for agriculture, grazing, or urban development. This process results in significant environmental damage, including the loss of biodiversity and the disruption of the water cycle.
recycling
B2Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. It is a fundamental practice in environmental conservation aimed at reducing waste and the consumption of raw materials.
fertilizer
B2A chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. It is primarily used in gardening and agriculture to help crops develop faster and produce higher yields.
