Translation guide
The English word "compost" refers to decayed organic material used as fertilizer, and also to the process of making it. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 堆肥 (たいひ), but depending on context, other terms like コンポスト or 腐葉土 may be used. This guide covers how to express the noun and the action of composting naturally.
Referring to the finished product: decayed organic matter used to enrich soil.
The standard term for compost in agricultural and gardening contexts. It specifically means well-rotted organic matter used as fertilizer.
堆肥を畑にまく。
Spread compost on the field.
この堆肥は栄養が豊富だ。
This compost is rich in nutrients.
Loanword from English, often used for home composting systems or the container itself. Can refer to the material or the bin.
生ゴミをコンポストに入れる。
Put kitchen scraps into the compost bin.
Leaf mold, specifically compost made from fallen leaves. Used as a soil conditioner, not a strong fertilizer.
腐葉土は水はけを良くする。
Leaf mold improves drainage.
Describing the process of turning organic waste into compost.
Literally 'make compost'. The most natural way to say 'to compost' as an activity.
庭で堆肥を作っています。
I make compost in my garden.
Verbalized loanword, common in casual speech about home composting.
生ゴミをコンポストしている。
I'm composting kitchen scraps.
Formal/technical term meaning 'to convert into compost'. Used in agricultural or environmental contexts.
生ゴミを堆肥化する技術。
Technology to compost kitchen waste.
Referring to the container or heap where composting happens.
Often means the bin itself. Context clarifies whether it's the material or the container.
コンポストを買った。
I bought a compost bin.
Literally 'compost box'. A clear term for a compost bin.
堆肥箱に野菜くずを入れる。
Put vegetable scraps in the compost bin.
Compost heap or pile, used in larger-scale or traditional composting.
堆肥山を定期的に切り返す。
Turn the compost pile regularly.
堆肥 is general compost made from various organic matter, often with manure. 腐葉土 is specifically leaf mold, used to improve soil structure rather than fertilize. コンポスト is a casual loanword often referring to home composting systems or the resulting material.
肥料 (ひりょう) means fertilizer in general, including chemical fertilizers. Compost is a type of organic fertilizer, but using 堆肥 is more precise and natural when you mean compost.
この農場では化学肥料を使わず、堆肥だけを使っています。
This farm uses only compost, no chemical fertilizers.