noun
Refers to dust or sand blown up by wind, often in dry or desert areas. Can describe both a local dust cloud and a larger sandstorm.
車が通ると砂塵が舞い上がった。
A cloud of dust rose when the car passed.
砂漠では砂塵で視界が悪くなることがある。
In the desert, visibility can worsen due to sandstorms.
Compound of 砂 (sand) and 塵 (dust). The kanji 沙 is a variant of 砂, now rare in this word.