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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to pollute' or 'pollution' with 污染 (wūrǎn)

    Actions & Events
    Result & Consequence

    Structure

    Subject + 污染 + Object; Noun + 污染

    Explanation

    污染 (wūrǎn) can function as both a verb meaning "to pollute" and a noun meaning "pollution." As a verb, it takes an object (e.g., 污染环境, "to pollute the environment"). As a noun, it can be modified by adjectives or appear in constructions like 空气污染 (air pollution).

    Examples

    • 这家工厂严重污染了附近的河流。

      zhè jiā gōngchǎng yánzhòng wūrǎn le fùjìn de héliú.

      This factory has severely polluted the nearby river.

    • 空气污染是很多大城市面临的问题。

      kōngqì wūrǎn shì hěn duō dà chéngshì miànlín de wèntí.

      Air pollution is a problem faced by many large cities.

    • 我们应该减少塑料对海洋的污染。

      wǒmen yīnggāi jiǎnshǎo sùliào duì hǎiyáng de wūrǎn.

      We should reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.

    Expressing 'to pollute' or 'pollution' with 污染 (wūrǎn) | Chinese Grammar