Translation guide
The word 'dregs' refers to the sediment at the bottom of a liquid, or metaphorically to the least valuable or most worthless part of something. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
The solid particles that settle at the bottom of a liquid, such as in tea, coffee, wine, or soup.
The most common word for sediment or dregs in liquids like wine, sake, or juice. Often used in everyday contexts.
ワインの澱が瓶の底に溜まっている。
The dregs of the wine have settled at the bottom of the bottle.
A more technical term for sediment or precipitate. Used in scientific or formal contexts.
この液体には沈殿物が含まれている。
This liquid contains sediment.
Refers to lees or dregs left after pressing or filtering, especially in sake or soy sauce production. Also used for scum or waste.
酒粕は日本酒の澱から作られる。
Sake lees are made from the dregs of sake.
The least valuable, most worthless, or most undesirable part of something, often people or society.
Commonly used for 'dregs' in a figurative sense, meaning worthless remnants or scum. Can be harsh when referring to people.
彼は社会の屑だと言われた。
He was called the dregs of society.
Literally 'leftover dregs', used figuratively for the worthless remains of something. Less common than 屑.
An emphatic expression meaning 'the very bottom' or 'the lowest of the low', similar to 'dregs' in a derogatory sense.
あいつらは底の底だ。
Those guys are the dregs.
The final, often unpleasant, part of something, such as the dregs of a drink or the end of an experience.
Literally 'the last drop', used for the final bit of a drink, often with dregs. Can be metaphorical.
彼はコーヒーの最後の一滴まで飲み干した。
He drank the coffee down to the last dregs.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'what's left at the bottom', used for dregs in a container.
カップの底に残ったものが気になる。
I'm bothered by the dregs left at the bottom of the cup.
When using 'dregs' to insult people, directly translating to 澱 (おり) is unnatural. Use 屑 (くず) or 底の底 (そこのそこ) instead.
彼らは社会の屑だ。
They are the dregs of society.
澱 (おり) is used for everyday sediment in drinks, while 沈殿物 (ちんでんぶつ) is a scientific term for any precipitate. Use 澱 for wine or tea, and 沈殿物 in chemistry contexts.
その計画の残り滓だけが残った。
Only the dregs of the plan remained.