버리다 vs 폐기하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 버리다
Listen to 폐기하다
| 버리다 | 폐기하다 |
|---|---|
beo-RI-da verb | pye-gi-ha-da verb |
| to throw away; to discard; to get rid of something | to dispose of; to discard; to dismantle as waste |
How they differ
폐기하다 is much more formal and technical than 버리다. It is often used for documents, equipment, waste, or official disposal procedures, while 버리다 is the plain everyday verb for throwing something away.
When to use each
When to use 버리다: Use 버리다 in ordinary conversation when talking about throwing away personal items or garbage.
When to use 폐기하다: Use 폐기하다 in formal, legal, administrative, or technical contexts where disposal needs to sound precise.
Side-by-side examples
- 이 종이는 버려 주세요.
(Please throw this paper away.) - 이 종이는 폐기해 주세요.
(Please dispose of this paper.)
Register & nuance: 폐기하다 is formal and often used in official, written, or technical language.