Translation and Meaning of: 塵 - gomi

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 塵[ごみ]. It is common in everyday Japanese and carries interesting meanings and uses. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing in kanji, and how it is perceived in Japanese culture. Furthermore, we will see tips for memorizing it and contexts in which it frequently appears.

Meaning and usage of 塵 [ごみ]

The word ごみ (gomi) literally means "garbage" or "waste" in Japanese. It is used to refer to any type of disposal, from food scraps to useless objects. In Japan, garbage management is taken very seriously, and this word frequently appears in recycling rules and public signs.

Unlike Portuguese, where "lixo" can have negative connotations in certain contexts, ごみ is a neutral word in Japanese. It does not carry an offensive tone unless used metaphorically to describe something of no value. For example, saying that an object is ごみ means that it is useless or disposable.

Origin and writing of the kanji 塵

The kanji 塵 is composed of two radicals: 土 (earth) and 鹿 (deer). Originally, it represented "fine dust" or "small particles," like those kicked up by moving animals. Over time, its meaning expanded to include any type of waste or unwanted material.

Although 塵 is the correct kanji for ごみ, in daily life, the Japanese often write the word only in hiragana (ごみ) or katakana (ゴミ). This happens because the kanji is considered complex and impractical for everyday situations. However, it still appears with some frequency in signs and manuals.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember ごみ is to associate it with the sound of the word "gum". Imagine someone throwing "chewing gum" in the trash – this image can help solidify the term. Another tip is to think of the kanji 塵 as "dust that accumulates on the ground", as it contains the radical 土 (earth).

In Japan, garbage separation is taken so seriously that there are specific categories for different types of ごみ. In some cities, there are specific days for disposing of flammable materials, recyclables, and even electronics. Those who do not follow the rules may receive warnings, showing how the word is connected to important cultural habits.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ごみ (gomi) - waste, refuse
• ちり (chiri) - dust, fine dirt
• ほこり (hokori) - dust, light particles

塵

Romaji: gomi
Kana: ごみ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: trash

Meaning in English: rubbish;trash;garbage

Definition: Fine particles or tiny things. Refers to the smallest part or the most minuscule state of something.

Example Sentences - (塵) gomi

See below some example sentences:

塵紙は燃えやすいです。

Chirigami wa moeyasui desu

Chirigami is highly flammable.

Dust paper is easy to burn.

• 塵紙 (jinkami) - wastepaper
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 燃えやすい (moe yasui) - easy to burn
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

塵取りを使って部屋を掃除しました。

Chiritori wo tsukatte heya wo souji shimashita

I cleaned the room using a vacuum cleaner.

I cleaned the room using dust removal.

• 塵取り - tool for cleaning dust
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 部屋 - quarto, living room, room
• を - direct object particle
• 掃除 - cleaning
• しました - verb "to do" conjugated in the past

塵も積もれば山となる。

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru

Even Dust

If the dust is stacked, it will be a mountain.

• 塵 (chiri) - dust
• も (mo) - also
• 積もれば (tsumoreba) - to accumulate
• 山 (yama) - Mountain
• と (to) - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• なる (naru) - become

微塵も動じない。

Bijin mo doujinai

Fine dust does not move.

• 微塵 - It means "very small particle" in Japanese.
• も - It is a particle of negation or restriction in Japanese, which can be translated as "not even".
• 動じない - It is a verb in Japanese that means "not to be shaken" or "not to move".