Translation guide
The English word 'dust' can refer to fine particles, the act of removing dust, or related concepts. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
dust (noun, household)
dust (verb, clean)
Referring to dust as fine dry particles of matter, such as household dust or airborne dust.
The most common word for household dust, lint, or fine particles that accumulate on surfaces.
Dust has accumulated on the desk.
Refers to dust or small particles, often outdoors or in the air. Slightly more literary or formal than ほこり.
Technical term for fine dust or particulate matter, often used in industrial or scientific contexts.
The action of cleaning dust from surfaces.
General phrase meaning 'to remove dust'. Can be used for dusting furniture, etc.
Describing a cloud of dust or a dusty environment.
Idiomatic expressions using 'dust' metaphorically.
English idioms with 'dust' rarely translate directly. Instead, use equivalent Japanese idioms or plain expressions.
ほこり is the everyday word for dust indoors. ちり is more often used for airborne dust or in literary contexts. For most daily situations, use ほこり.
Clean the dust in the room.
Please remove the dust.
The wind kicked up dust.
工場では粉塵が問題になっている。
Dust is a problem in the factory.
I dust the shelves every morning.
Means 'to clean' in general, but often implies dusting as part of cleaning.
After cleaning the room, the dust was gone.
Specifically means to dust by beating or patting, like dusting off a futon or clothes.
I beat the futon to get the dust out.
Adjective meaning 'dusty'. Describes a place or thing covered in dust.
This room is dusty.
Specifically refers to a cloud of dust or sand, like on a windy day or a dirt road.
When a car passes, dust rises.
He left his competitors in the dust.
He bit the dust. (He failed.)
風でちりが目に入った。
Dust got in my eye from the wind.