Translation guide
In Japanese, the job of collecting garbage is usually referred to by the role or the vehicle, not by a direct equivalent of 'garbage man'. The most natural expressions focus on the work or the person's job title.
Referring to the worker who picks up trash from homes or businesses
General term for a sanitation worker or cleaner, commonly used for garbage collectors in official contexts.
清掃員の方が毎朝ゴミを収集してくれます。
The garbage collectors pick up the trash every morning.
Casual, descriptive way to say 'the person who collects garbage'. Natural in everyday speech.
ゴミ収集の人が来る前に出さないと。
I have to put it out before the garbage man comes.
Specifically the driver of the garbage truck. Use when distinguishing the driver from other crew.
ゴミ収集車の運転手さんに手を振った。
I waved to the garbage truck driver.
Formal, bureaucratic term for a garbage collector. Used in official documents or job titles.
塵芥収集作業員の募集があります。
There is a job opening for a garbage collector.
There is no single, everyday word exactly like 'garbage man' in Japanese. Using 'ゴミ男' would be unnatural and possibly rude. Instead, describe the role or use the job title.
毎週火曜日にゴミ収集の人が来ます。
The garbage man comes every Tuesday.
叔父は清掃員です。
My uncle is a garbage man.