1.
dust; fine particles; particulate matter; airborne dust
Very small solid particles suspended in the air, often a health or safety concern in workplaces and environments.
工場で粉じんが発生している。
Dust is being generated at the factory.
粉じんを吸い込まないようにマスクをつけてください。
Please wear a mask to avoid inhaling dust particles.
黄砂による粉じんの濃度が高くなっているため、外出を控えてください。
Since the dust concentration from yellow sand is high, please refrain from going outside.
Written as 粉塵 in full kanji or 粉じん in mixed script (the latter is more common in general media, as 塵 is not a 常用漢字). Refers specifically to airborne particulate matter, not everyday household dust.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 粉じん濃度 — dust concentration
- 粉じん爆発 — dust explosion
- 粉じん対策 — dust countermeasures
- 粉じんを吸い込む — to inhale dust particles
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ほこり — dust (everyday household dust)
- 微粒子 — fine particles (more scientific/technical)
- PM2.5 — fine particulate matter (specific size classification)
- 砂ぼこり — sand dust (blown by wind)
USAGE:
A technical term commonly encountered in workplace safety regulations, environmental reports, and weather advisories (especially regarding 黄砂 — yellow sand from China). Industrial 粉じん exposure is regulated under Japanese occupational health laws.