also: ちりほこり
Refers to physical dust and dirt, often in a somewhat formal or literary context. The reading ちりほこり is rare and mostly found in older texts.
Dust had accumulated in the room.
dreary world; mundane affairs
Only with reading じんあい
Figurative use, restricted to the reading じんあい. Conveys the weariness of everyday life or the pettiness of worldly concerns. Often used in literary or philosophical contexts.
I vacuumed up the dust and dirt from the floor.
He left the dreary, mundane world behind and secluded himself in the mountains.
I want to escape from the petty affairs of everyday life and spend some quiet time.
Standard kanji spelling for both senses; the reading じんあい is the most common.
Alternate reading for the literal dust sense; rarely used and may be considered archaic or literary.
Compound of 塵 (dust) and 埃 (dust/dirt). The reading じんあい is the on'yomi, while ちりほこり is a mixed kun'yomi reading that is now rare.