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.
農家の人が箕で籾を選別していた。
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.
昔は唐箕を使って籾殻を飛ばした。
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.
収穫後、穀物を風選して不純物を取り除く。
After harvesting, the grain is winnowed to remove impurities.
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.
大量の応募書類から優秀な人材を選別する。
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.
候補者をふるいにかけて最終候補を決める。
We'll winnow the candidates down to a shortlist.
Means 'to narrow down'. Often used when reducing a large set to a manageable number.
調査結果を絞り込んで、重要なデータだけを抽出する。
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.
情報を取捨選択して、信頼できるソースだけを使う。
We must winnow the information and use only reliable sources.