Translation guide
The English word 'junk' can refer to useless items, low-quality things, or a type of Chinese sailing ship. This guide focuses on the common meanings of worthless objects and trash, as the ship meaning is rare and technical.
Referring to old, broken, or unwanted things that are considered worthless, similar to 'trash' or 'rubbish'.
The most common and natural word for 'junk' as a collection of worthless, old, or broken items. Often used for things like broken appliances, old furniture, or miscellaneous clutter.
このがらくたを全部捨てなきゃ。
I have to throw away all this junk.
彼の部屋はがらくたでいっぱいだ。
His room is full of junk.
Literally 'unnecessary items'. A more formal or neutral term for things you no longer need, often used in contexts like moving, cleaning, or disposal services.
引っ越しの前に不用品を処分した。
I disposed of the junk before moving.
Means 'waste materials' or 'scrap'. More technical and less common in everyday speech. Used for industrial or recyclable junk.
この工場では廃物をリサイクルしている。
This factory recycles junk.
Describing an object, product, or content that is poorly made, worthless, or not worth keeping, like 'junk food' or 'junk mail'.
A phrase meaning 'worthless things' or 'nonsense'. It emphasizes lack of value or quality, often used for trivial items or content.
そんなくだらないものにお金を使うな。
Don't spend money on such junk.
この雑誌はくだらないものばかりだ。
This magazine is full of junk.
Means 'inferior goods' or 'shoddy product'. Used for items that are poorly made or defective, like cheap knockoffs.
The loanword 'janku' is used in compounds like 'junk food' (ジャンクフード) or 'junk mail' (ジャンクメール). It's common in modern Japanese for specific borrowed concepts.
ジャンクフードばかり食べてはいけない。
You shouldn't eat only junk food.
ジャンクメールが毎日たくさん来る。
I get a lot of junk mail every day.
Referring to a traditional Chinese sailing vessel with battened sails. This is a specialized historical/maritime term.
The Japanese term for a Chinese junk ship. It's a direct loanword plus 'ship'. Only used in historical or nautical contexts.
博物館でジャンク船の模型を見た。
I saw a model of a junk ship at the museum.
While 'junk' can be used metaphorically for people in English (e.g., 'He's a piece of junk'), がらくた is only for objects. Using it for a person would be very insulting and unnatural.
がらくた implies the items are worthless or broken, often with a negative nuance. 不用品 simply means items you no longer need, which could still be in good condition. Use 不用品 when selling or giving away things.
これは粗悪品だからすぐ壊れた。
This is junk, so it broke quickly.