JLPT · Level 158
15 words
Japanese word
塵
Pronunciation
Romajichiri
Meaning
- noundust
Example
毎朝、机の上の塵を拭き取ります。mai asa tsukue no ue no chiri o fu ki to ri ma su
I wipe the dust off my desk every morning.
More examples
掃除機で床の塵を吸い取ります。sō ji ki de yuka no chiri o su i to ri ma su
I vacuum up the dust on the floor.
Core concept
Refers to tiny dry particles that settle on surfaces or float in the air and are removed by wiping or cleaning.
Common phrases
塵一つないchiri hito tsu na i
not a speck of dust
塵を払うchiri o hara u
brush away dust
Similar words
ほこりhokori: Dirt and tiny particles that collect on surfaces and are removed by cleaning.
Definition in Japanese
空気中を漂ったり物の表面に積もったりする細かい土やほこりなどの粒。kū ki chū o tadayo tta ri mono no hyō men ni tsu mo tta ri su ru koma ka i tsuchi ya ho ko ri na do no tsubu
Word origin
塵 (chiri, "dust") is a native Japanese noun related to 散る (chiru, "to scatter"), expressing the idea of small particles dispersed from a larger mass.
Usage tips
- In English, dust is usually an uncountable noun, so a sentence such as "There is dust on the desk" is more natural than "There are dusts."
Related words
- 塵っぽいgomippoidustyi-adjective