くず屋や

noun

junk dealer; rag-and-bone man; garbage collector

Historically refers to a person who collects and sells waste paper, rags, and scrap. In modern contexts, it can also mean a garbage collector, though ごみ収集員 is more common. The term can carry a slightly derogatory or old-fashioned nuance; it is sensitive.

• 昔むかし、くず屋やが町まちを回まわって古ふる新しん聞ぶんを集あつめていた。

  In the old days, junk dealers went around town collecting old newspapers.

• 彼かれはくず屋やに金きん属ぞくくずを売うった。

  He sold scrap metal to the junk dealer.