Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'wastepaper' is most commonly expressed with the word 紙くず (kamikuzu), which refers to scraps of paper, litter, or paper waste. It is used in everyday contexts like cleaning up or recycling. Other terms exist for specific contexts, such as used paper for recycling or wastepaper baskets.
General term for discarded paper, scraps, or paper litter.
The most common and natural word for wastepaper in everyday Japanese. It refers to small pieces of discarded paper, scraps, or paper litter.
机の上に紙くずが散らかっている。
There are scraps of paper scattered on the desk.
紙くずをゴミ箱に捨ててください。
Please throw the wastepaper in the trash can.
Refers to paper waste in the context of garbage or recycling. Often used when sorting trash.
紙ごみはリサイクルに出してください。
Please put out paper waste for recycling.
A somewhat literary term for wastepaper, especially paper that has been used and is no longer needed. Not common in everyday speech.
その書類は反故になった。
Those documents became wastepaper.
Paper that has been used and is collected for recycling.
Specifically refers to used paper that is collected for recycling. Common in environmental and municipal contexts.
古紙を回収する日は水曜日です。
The day for collecting used paper is Wednesday.
この箱は古紙用です。
This box is for used paper.
A container for wastepaper.
A wastepaper basket. Literally 'paper scrap basket'.
紙くずかごがいっぱいになった。
The wastepaper basket is full.
A general wastebasket, often used for paper waste but not exclusively. Short for 紙くずかご.
くずかごを空にしてください。
Please empty the wastebasket.