塵 埃(じんあい)

じんあい

noun

dust and dirt; fine particles

formalnature

1. dust and dirt; fine particles

Minute particles of dirt, dust, or debris. A literary or formal word for dust.

空気(くうき)中(ちゅう)の塵埃(じんあい)を除去(じょきょ)する。

To remove dust particles from the air.

工場(こうじょう)では塵埃(じんあい)の管理(かんり)が徹底(てってい)されている。

Dust management is thoroughly enforced in the factory.

クリーンルームでは塵埃(じんあい)が一切(いっさい)許(ゆる)されない。

In a cleanroom, not a single particle of dust is permitted.

2. worldly concerns; earthly cares (figurative)

Used metaphorically, especially in Buddhist or literary contexts, to refer to the mundane world and its troubles.

塵埃(じんあい)にまみれた俗世(ぞくせ)。

The mundane world, covered in earthly dust.

塵埃(じんあい)を離(はな)れて山(やま)に籠(こ)もる。

To retreat to the mountains, leaving worldly cares behind.

禅(ぜん)の修行(しゅぎょう)で心(こころ)の塵埃(じんあい)を払(はら)う。

Through Zen practice, one sweeps away the dust of the mind.

A literary and somewhat formal word combining 塵(じん) (dust) and 埃(あい) (dirt/dust). Both characters independently mean "dust" — together they emphasize minuteness and pervasiveness. Common in technical writing (manufacturing, cleanrooms) and in Buddhist/literary contexts where it symbolizes worldly attachments.

Common collocations

塵埃(じんあい)を除去(じょきょ)する: to remove dust
塵埃(じんあい)濃度(のうど): dust concentration
塵埃(じんあい)管理(かんり): dust control
塵埃(じんあい)にまみれる: to be covered in dust (literal or figurative)

Similar words

埃(ほこり): dust — the everyday word for household dust
塵(ちり): dust, particle — literary; common in the saying 塵(ちり)も積(つ)もれば山(やま)となる
ゴミ: garbage, litter — refers to trash rather than fine particles
粉塵(ふんじん): particulate matter — technical term for airborne particles

Related Words

Compare: ゴミ (garbage, litter)

general

Added 2026.4.8 1:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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