Translation guide
The English word 'garbage' refers to waste, trash, or something worthless. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ごみ (gomi), but the appropriate term depends on the type of waste and context.
Referring to everyday refuse, kitchen waste, or items to be thrown away.
The general term for garbage, trash, or waste. Used for household refuse, litter, and anything discarded.
Describing something of poor quality, useless, or nonsense talk.
Literally 'scraps' or 'waste', used figuratively for something worthless or a person considered useless. Can be harsh.
Referring to waste discarded improperly in streets, parks, etc.
Same general word, but context makes it clear it's litter.
While ごみ can sometimes be used metaphorically for something worthless, it's not as common as in English. For calling something 'garbage' meaning terrible quality or nonsense, くず or でたらめ are more natural.
In Japan, garbage is strictly separated. Common categories include 燃えるごみ (burnable), 燃えないごみ (non-burnable), 資源ごみ (recyclable), and 粗大ごみ (oversized garbage). Knowing these terms is essential for daily life.
ごみを捨ててください。
Please throw away the garbage.
今日はごみの日です。
Today is garbage collection day.
Specifically kitchen waste or food scraps, often wet and perishable.
生ごみは臭くなるので早く捨てましょう。
Kitchen garbage smells, so let's throw it out quickly.
Burnable garbage, a common category in Japanese waste separation.
燃えるごみは月曜日に出してください。
Please put out burnable garbage on Mondays.
あんな映画はくずだ。
That movie is garbage.
Junk, worthless items, often used for old or broken things.
このがらくたを捨てよう。
Let's throw away this garbage.
Nonsense, rubbish talk. Used when someone says something untrue or illogical.
彼の言うことはでたらめだ。
What he says is garbage.
道にごみを捨てないでください。
Please don't litter (throw garbage on the street).