Translation guide
To separate grain from chaff, or metaphorically to sift through and select the valuable parts from a larger set.
The literal agricultural process of tossing grain into the air so the wind blows away the lighter chaff.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to sort with a winnowing basket'. This is the most natural way to describe the action in modern Japanese, as the traditional tool (箕) is still recognized.
Metaphorically separating valuable items or information from a large amount of data, candidates, etc.
General term for sorting or selecting. Can be used for both physical and abstract sifting.
The farmer was winnowing the rice grains with a winnowing basket.
Refers to using a traditional hand-cranked winnowing machine (唐箕). Common in historical or rural contexts.
In the old days, they used a winnowing machine to blow away the husks.
A technical term meaning 'to winnow by wind'. Used in agricultural science or formal descriptions.
After harvesting, the grain is winnowed to remove impurities.
We need to winnow down the large number of applications to find the best candidates.
Literally 'to put through a sieve'. A common metaphor for filtering or screening out the unwanted.
We'll winnow the candidates down to a shortlist.
Means 'to narrow down'. Often used when reducing a large set to a manageable number.
We need to winnow the survey results to extract only the important data.
A formal compound meaning 'to select and discard'. Emphasizes the process of choosing what to keep and what to throw away.
We must winnow the information and use only reliable sources.