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.
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.
机の上にほこりがたまっている。
Dust has accumulated on the desk.
ほこりを取ってください。
Please remove the dust.
Refers to dust or small particles, often outdoors or in the air. Slightly more literary or formal than ほこり.
風でちりが舞い上がった。
The wind kicked up dust.
Technical term for fine dust or particulate matter, often used in industrial or scientific contexts.
工場では粉塵が問題になっている。
Dust is a problem in the factory.
The action of cleaning dust from surfaces.
General phrase meaning 'to remove dust'. Can be used for dusting furniture, etc.
毎朝、棚のほこりを取ります。
I dust the shelves every morning.
Means 'to clean' in general, but often implies dusting as part of cleaning.
部屋を掃除したら、ほこりがなくなった。
After cleaning the room, the dust was gone.
Specifically means to dust by beating or patting, like dusting off a futon or clothes.
布団をはたいてほこりを落とした。
I beat the futon to get the dust out.
Describing a cloud of dust or a dusty environment.
Adjective meaning 'dusty'. Describes a place or thing covered in dust.
この部屋はほこりっぽい。
This room is dusty.
Specifically refers to a cloud of dust or sand, like on a windy day or a dirt road.
Idiomatic expressions using 'dust' metaphorically.
English idioms with 'dust' rarely translate directly. Instead, use equivalent Japanese idioms or plain expressions.
彼は競争相手を大きく引き離した。
He left his competitors in the dust.
彼は失敗した。
He bit the dust. (He failed.)
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.
部屋のほこりを掃除する。
Clean the dust in the room.
風でちりが目に入った。
Dust got in my eye from the wind.
車が通ると砂ぼこりが立つ。
When a car passes, dust rises.