ゴミ

ごみ

noun

trash, garbage

1. trash, garbage, rubbish

Waste material that is thrown away. Includes household waste, litter, and any discarded items.

ゴミを出(だ)してきます。

I'll go take out the trash.

ゴミを出す = to take out the trash

ゴミは分(わ)けてください。

Please separate the trash.

Garbage sorting is important in Japan

ここにゴミを捨(す)てないでください。

Please don't throw trash here.

ゴミ means trash or garbage. Usually written in katakana.

Writing

ゴミ: katakana (most common)
ごみ: hiragana
塵(ごみ): kanji (rare)

TYPES (sorting categories):

燃(も)えるゴミ: burnable garbage
燃(も)えないゴミ: non-burnable garbage
資源(しげん)ゴミ: recyclables
粗大(そだい)ゴミ: oversized garbage
生(なま)ゴミ: food waste

Common expressions

ゴミを出(だ)す: to take out the trash
ゴミを捨(す)てる: to throw away trash
ゴミを分別(ぶんべつ)する: to sort trash
ゴミ収集(しゅうしゅう)日(び): garbage collection day
ゴミ箱(ばこ): trash can
ゴミ袋(ぶくろ): garbage bag

Cultural note

Japan has strict garbage sorting rules that vary by municipality.

Related Words

Related: 紙屑(かみくず) (wastepaper, scrap paper)

Compare: がらくた (junk, rubbish, odds and ends)

Compare: 塵埃(じんあい) (dust and dirt)

Compare: 散乱物(さんらんぶつ) (scattered objects)

Compare: 瓦礫 (rubble)

general

Added 2026.1.7 21:11 · Revised 2026.10.8 15:20

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