塵(ちり)

ちり
noun
dust, dirt, speck
literary
1. dust, dirt, fine particles
Fine particles of matter that accumulate on surfaces or float in the air. Also used figuratively for impurities or worldly attachments.
棚(たな)の上(うえ)に塵(ちり)が積(つ)もっている。
Dust has accumulated on top of the shelf.
塵(ちり)も積(つ)もれば山(やま)となる。
Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain. (Many a little makes a mickle.)
風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)くと塵(ちり)が舞(ま)い上(あ)がって目(め)に入(はい)りそうになった。
When the wind blew, the dust swirled up and nearly got in my eyes.

Proverb

塵(ちり)も積(つ)もれば山(やま)となる — "Even dust piles up into a mountain." A well-known proverb meaning that small amounts accumulate into something significant.

Usage

塵(ちり) refers to very fine particles — finer than 埃(ほこり) (dust, in everyday speech). In everyday conversation, 埃(ほこり) is more common for household dust. 塵(ちり) appears more in literary contexts and set phrases. The pair 塵(ちり)芥(あくた) means "dust and rubbish" — worthless things.

Common collocations

  • 塵(ちり)が積(つ)もる: dust accumulates
  • 塵(ちり)が舞(ま)う: dust swirls
  • 塵(ちり)ひとつない: not a speck of dust
  • 塵(ちり)芥(あくた): dust and rubbish, worthless things

Similar words

塵(ちり) is literary and refers to very fine particles. 埃(ほこり) (dust) is the everyday word for household dust. ゴミ (garbage, trash) is broader and refers to waste in general.

Related Words

Synonym: 埃(ほこり) (dust (everyday))
general
Added 2026.2.20 14:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12000/12107_chiri