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ちりとり

B1 noun #8,000 most common 10 min read

ちりとり

chiritori Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ちりとり in 30 Seconds

Explanation ちりとり in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'chiritori' is introduced as a basic household noun. You learn it alongside words like 'hōki' (broom) and 'gomi' (trash). The focus is on identifying the object and using it in simple 'Subject-wa Object-desu' or 'Object-o kudasai' (Please give me...) sentences. You might see this word in a picture dictionary or a beginner's guide to classroom items. The goal is simply to recognize that this tool is used for picking up dirt. Example: 'Kore wa chiritori desu' (This is a dustpan).

At the A2 level, you start to use 'chiritori' with basic action verbs. You learn the sequence of cleaning: 'Hōki de haite, chiritori de atsumemasu' (Sweep with a broom and collect with a dustpan). You also learn to describe the location of the dustpan using 'arimasu' (there is). You might be able to ask where the dustpan is kept in a house or school. You also begin to understand simple adjectives to describe it, like 'chiisai' (small) or 'aoi' (blue).

At the B1 level, you can discuss the utility and necessity of a dustpan. You might explain why you are using a dustpan instead of a vacuum cleaner (e.g., 'Sōjiki ga kowareta node, chiritori o tsukaimasu'). You can handle more complex grammar, such as the potential form ('Chiritori ga nakereba, gomi o atsumeraremasen' - If there is no dustpan, I can't collect the trash). You also become aware of the cultural context, such as 'sōji' time in Japanese schools, and can describe your cleaning habits using this vocabulary.

At the B2 level, you can distinguish between different types of dustpans, such as 'bunka-chiritori' or 'te-mi', and explain their specific uses. You can follow more detailed instructions in a workplace or volunteer setting. You might discuss the environmental benefits of using manual tools like a broom and dustpan over electric ones. Your sentences become more fluid, using connectors like 'tame ni' (in order to) or 'noni' (despite). You can also understand the word when used in metaphors or idiomatic expressions in literature.

At the C1 level, you understand the historical and aesthetic significance of the 'chiritori'. You might read about traditional crafts like 'harimi' (lacquered paper dustpans) and their role in 'Wa' (Japanese harmony) and sustainable living. You can discuss the philosophy of cleaning in Zen Buddhism, where the 'chiritori' is a tool for spiritual purification. You are comfortable using the word in formal reports, academic discussions about Japanese education, or historical analyses of domestic life in the Edo period.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of the word and its nuances. You can participate in high-level debates about school curriculum (like the necessity of 'sōji' time) or industrial design. You understand subtle puns or wordplay involving 'chiri' and 'tori'. You can write eloquently about the sensory experience of cleaning—the sound of the broom against the floor and the scraping of the 'chiritori'. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, incorporating the word seamlessly into any register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ちりとり in 30 Seconds

A dustpan used for collecting swept trash.
Essential tool for Japanese school and home cleaning.
Often paired with a broom (hōki).
Commonly written in hiragana (ちりとり).

The Japanese word ちりとり (chiritori) refers to a dustpan, a fundamental cleaning tool used in conjunction with a broom (hōki) to collect dust, dirt, and debris from the floor. Etymologically, the word is a compound of two parts: 塵 (chiri), meaning dust or trash, and 取り (tori), the noun form of the verb toru (to take or collect). Therefore, it literally translates to a 'dust-taker'. In Japanese culture, cleaning is not merely a chore but a meditative practice and a social responsibility, making the chiritori a ubiquitous object in homes, schools, and workplaces. You will see it in various forms, ranging from the small, plastic hand-held versions used in modern apartments to the large, long-handled metal versions used by street cleaners or in schoolyards.

Physical Characteristics: Traditional Japanese dustpans were often made of wood or lacquered paper (called harimi), which were designed to be anti-static so that dust wouldn't stick to the surface. Modern versions are typically plastic or stainless steel. Some have a 'hooded' design to prevent wind from blowing the collected dust back out.
The Concept of Sōji: In Japan, the practice of sōji (cleaning) is deeply ingrained. Students from elementary to high school spend about 15 minutes every day cleaning their classrooms. The chiritori is a central tool during this time, symbolizing the act of taking responsibility for one's environment.

ほうきで集めたゴミをちりとりに入れました。
(I put the trash collected with the broom into the dustpan.)

Beyond the physical tool, the word carries a sense of domesticity. While vacuum cleaners (sōjiki) have become the primary cleaning tool in many households, the chiritori remains essential for corners, entranceways (genkan), and outdoor spaces. It is also favored in Zen Buddhist temples where the act of sweeping with a broom and using a dustpan is considered a form of moving meditation, focusing the mind on the present moment and the removal of spiritual 'dust'.

学校の掃除の時間に、新しいちりとりを使いました。
(I used a new dustpan during the school cleaning time.)

Material Variations: You might encounter the term te-mi (手箕), which is a large, basket-like dustpan used in gardening or farming. While technically different, it functions as a heavy-duty chiritori for leaves and soil.

庭の落ち葉をちりとりで集めるのは大変です。
(It is hard work to collect fallen leaves in the garden with a dustpan.)

In summary, chiritori is a word that bridges the gap between simple utility and cultural ritual. Whether it is a child learning to clean their desk or a monk sweeping a stone path, the chiritori is the silent partner to the broom, ensuring that the 'chiri' (dust) is not just moved around, but properly 'taken' (tori) and removed.

Using ちりとり in a sentence is relatively straightforward as it is a concrete noun. However, to sound natural, you must pair it with the correct verbs and particles. The most common verb associated with it is tsukau (to use), but when describing the actual action of collecting dust, you often use ireru (to put in) or atsumeru (to collect).

Common Verb Pairings: 1. ちりとりを使う (Chiritori o tsukau): To use a dustpan.
2. ちりとりに入れる (Chiritori ni ireru): To put (dust/trash) into a dustpan.
3. ちりとりで受ける (Chiritori de ukeru): To catch (falling debris) with a dustpan.

ゴミをちりとりに入れて、ゴミ箱に捨ててください。
(Please put the trash in the dustpan and throw it in the trash can.)

When describing the location of a dustpan, the particle ni is used for existence. For example, Chiritori wa doko ni arimasu ka? (Where is the dustpan?). If you are buying one, you might say Chiritori o kaitai desu (I want to buy a dustpan). In a more formal setting, such as a workplace instruction, you might hear Chiritori o motte kite kudasai (Please bring the dustpan).

このちりとりは軽くて使いやすいですね。
(This dustpan is light and easy to use, isn't it?)

Advanced Usage: Compound Words: You might see 文化ちりとり (Bunka-chiritori). 'Bunka' means culture/modern, and this refers to the standing dustpan with a lid. Another is 三段ちりとり (Sandan-chiritori), a three-tiered or adjustable version often used in professional cleaning.

In complex sentences, you can use the te-form to sequence actions. Hōki de haite, chiritori de atsumete, gomi-bako ni sutemashita (I swept with a broom, collected with a dustpan, and threw it in the trash can). This sequence is the standard 'cleaning algorithm' in Japanese households.

プラスチック製のちりとりよりも、金属製の方が丈夫です。
(Metal dustpans are more durable than plastic ones.)

Finally, when asking for help during cleaning, you might say Chiritori o osaete kudasai (Please hold the dustpan steady). This is common when one person is sweeping a large amount of debris and needs the dustpan to stay flush against the floor. Mastering these variations will make your Japanese sound much more natural in everyday domestic situations.

The word ちりとり is a staple of daily life in Japan. You are most likely to hear it in four primary environments: the home, the school, hardware stores, and in media depicting everyday life (like slice-of-life anime or dramas).

1. In the Japanese School System: If you visit a Japanese school during sōji-no-jikan (cleaning time), you will hear teachers and students shouting for the chiritori. 'Who has the dustpan?' (Chiritori motteru hito?) or 'Bring the dustpan to the hallway!' (Rōka ni chiritori motte kite!) are common phrases. It is part of the collective effort to keep the learning environment clean.
2. At Home and with Family: Parents often instruct children using this word. 'Get the dustpan and help me' (Chiritori totte tetsudatte). In modern Japanese apartments, while vacuum cleaners are dominant, the genkan (entranceway) is almost always cleaned with a small broom and chiritori because it's considered 'outside' and too dirty for a vacuum.

「あ、ちりとりが壊れちゃった。百均で新しいのを買おう。」
("Oh, the dustpan broke. Let's buy a new one at the 100-yen store.")

In a retail context, you will find chiritori in the cleaning supplies section (sōji yōhin uriba) of home centers like Cainz or Nitori, and very commonly in 100-yen stores like Daiso. In these stores, you might hear staff directing customers: 'Chiritori wa sōji yōhin no kōnā ni gozaimasu' (Dustpans are in the cleaning supplies corner).

「玄関の掃除をするから、ほうきとちりとりを出しておいて。」
("I'm going to clean the entrance, so please get the broom and dustpan out.")

3. Anime and Pop Culture: In anime, the 'cleaning the hallway with a broom and dustpan' scene is a trope for punishment or a quiet moment between characters. You'll hear the word when characters are assigned chores. It often emphasizes a mundane, grounded reality.

Lastly, in professional contexts like construction or landscaping, workers will use more specialized terms, but chiritori remains the catch-all term for the action of scooping up debris. If you are living in Japan, knowing this word is essential for participating in community cleaning days (chiiki sōji), where neighbors gather to clean local parks and streets.

While ちりとり is a simple noun, English speakers and other learners often make specific conceptual and linguistic errors when using it. Understanding these will help you achieve higher fluency.

1. Confusing with the Broom (Hōki): The most common mistake for beginners is swapping hōki (broom) and chiritori. Since they are almost always used together, learners sometimes use one word to refer to the pair. Remember: Hōki is for sweeping (the brush), and Chiritori is for 'taking' (the pan).
2. Over-reliance on Kanji: While the kanji for chiritori is 塵取り, it is very frequently written in hiragana (ちりとり). Learners who insist on using the kanji in casual texts or notes might seem overly formal or stiff. The character for chiri (塵) is quite complex (14 strokes) and is not part of the Joyo Kanji (daily use characters taught in schools), so many Japanese people themselves might struggle to write it by hand.

Mistake: ほうきでゴミを捨てます。
Correct: ちりとりでゴミを集めてから捨てます。
(You don't throw away trash 'with a broom'; you collect it with a dustpan first.)

Another mistake involves the 'hooded' dustpan. Many learners don't know the specific name bunka-chiritori and try to describe it with long, awkward phrases like 'the dustpan with a roof'. Using the correct term shows a deeper understanding of Japanese household items.

「そのちりとり、逆さまだよ。」
("That dustpan is upside down.")

3. Verb Misuse: Using haku (to sweep) with chiritori is incorrect. You sweep with a broom (hōki de haku). With a dustpan, you 'put in' (ireru) or 'collect' (atsumeru). Make sure the tool matches the action.

Finally, remember that in Japan, trash is strictly separated. A common mistake is using the chiritori to dump everything into one bin. In a Japanese context, you might need to use the dustpan to collect dust, then carefully separate larger items from the fine dust before disposal. This cultural nuance is often reflected in how the tool is used.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding ちりとり, it is helpful to look at related cleaning tools and their specific nuances. Japan has a rich history of cleaning implements, and choosing the right word can make you sound much more like a native speaker.

ほうき (Hōki) - Broom: The inseparable partner of the chiritori. While the dustpan collects, the hōki moves the dirt. There are zashiki-hōki (indoor brooms made of grass) and take-hōki (bamboo brooms for outdoor use).
手箕 (Te-mi) - Winnowing Basket / Large Dustpan: This is a heavy-duty version of a dustpan, often made of plastic or woven bamboo. It is shaped like a wide U and is used for scooping up large amounts of leaves, soil, or even snow. If you are doing yard work, te-mi is more appropriate than a standard chiritori.

掃除機（そうじき）がないときは、ほうきとちりとりを使います。
(When there is no vacuum cleaner, we use a broom and dustpan.)

Compare chiritori with sōjiki (vacuum cleaner). A vacuum is for general floor cleaning, but a chiritori is for 'spot cleaning' or for areas where electricity isn't available. In modern Japanese, 'cleaning' is often just called sōji, but the specific tools used define the type of cleaning being done.

はりみは、紙で作られた伝統的なちりとりの一種です。
(Harimi is a type of traditional dustpan made of paper.)

雑巾 (Zōkin) - Cleaning Rag: While not a dustpan, it's the next step in cleaning. After you use the chiritori to get the big dust, you use a zōkin to wipe the floor. In school cleaning, students often use both.

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate a Japanese household or hardware store with confidence. If you ask for a chiritori but actually need to scoop up a mountain of leaves, the clerk might suggest a te-mi. Conversely, if you are cleaning a delicate tatami room, they might suggest a traditional harimi (paper dustpan) to avoid scratching the mats.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Traditional Japanese dustpans were often treated with persimmon tannin (kakishibu), which acted as a natural pesticide and strengthened the paper, while also preventing static electricity.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃɪ.ri.to.ri/

US /tʃi.ri.toʊ.ri/

Flat (Heiban) - the pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rhymes With

Hitori (Alone) Irodori (Coloring) Omatsuri (Festival) Tonari (Neighbor) Maturi (Worship) Hikari (Light) Inori (Prayer) Kusari (Chain)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ri' like the English 'ree' with a hard 'R'.
Stress on the first syllable (CHIRI-tori) instead of flat pitch.
Confusing it with 'torichiri' (chicken dish).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Hiragana is very easy; the rare kanji is difficult.

Writing 2/5

Easy to write in hiragana; very hard in kanji.

Speaking 1/5

Simple four-syllable word with flat pitch.

Listening 1/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ゴミ (Gomi) 掃除 (Sōji) ほうき (Hōki) 床 (Yuka) 使う (Tsukau)

Learn Next

掃除機 (Sōjiki) 雑巾 (Zōkin) 洗剤 (Senzai) 片付ける (Katazukeru) 磨く (Migaku)

Advanced

柿渋 (Kakishibu) 静電気 (Seidenki) 衛生 (Eisei) 清掃員 (Seisōin) 廃棄物 (Haikibutsu)

Grammar to Know

Instrumental Particle 'de'

ちりとりでゴミを集める (Collect trash WITH a dustpan).

Destination Particle 'ni'

ちりとりにゴミを入れる (Put trash INTO a dustpan).

Existence 'arimasu'

ちりとりがあります (There is a dustpan).

Sequence 'te-form'

掃いて、集めて、捨てます (Sweep, collect, and throw away).

Request 'kudasai'

ちりとりを貸してください (Please lend me the dustpan).

Examples by Level

これはちりとりです。

This is a dustpan.

Basic 'A is B' structure.

ちりとりをください。

Please give me the dustpan.

Requesting an object with 'o kudasai'.

ちりとりはどこですか？

Where is the dustpan?

Asking for location.

あかいちりとりです。

It is a red dustpan.

Adjective + Noun.

ちりとりがあります。

There is a dustpan.

Existence of inanimate objects.

ほうきとちりとり。

Broom and dustpan.

Connecting nouns with 'to'.

ちりとりを使います。

I use a dustpan.

Basic Subject-Object-Verb.

小さいちりとりですね。

It's a small dustpan, isn't it?

Using the particle 'ne' for agreement.

ほうきでゴミをちりとりに入れます。

I put the trash into the dustpan with a broom.

Using 'de' for means and 'ni' for destination.

ちりとりは掃除用具入れにあります。

The dustpan is in the cleaning supply closet.

Specific location marking.

新しいちりとりを買いに行きましょう。

Let's go buy a new dustpan.

Using 'ni ikimashō' for purpose of movement.

ちりとりを持ってきてください。

Please bring the dustpan.

Te-form + kudasai for requests.

このちりとりは100円でした。

This dustpan was 100 yen.

Past tense of 'desu'.

ちりとりの使い方がわかりますか？

Do you know how to use a dustpan?

Noun + no + tsukaikata (how to use).

ゴミをちりとりに集めてください。

Please collect the trash in the dustpan.

Verb 'atsumeru' (to collect).

ちりとりが汚れています。

The dustpan is dirty.

State of being with 'te-iru'.

ちりとりを使えば、床がきれいになります。

If you use a dustpan, the floor will become clean.

Conditional 'eba' form.

掃除機がないので、ちりとりを使わなければなりません。

Since there is no vacuum, I must use a dustpan.

Must do 'nakereba narimasen'.

ちりとりにたまったゴミを捨てました。

I threw away the trash that had collected in the dustpan.

Relative clause modifying 'gomi'.

このちりとりは、持ち手が長くて便利です。

This dustpan is convenient because the handle is long.

Te-form of adjective for giving reasons.

学校では毎日、ちりとりを使って掃除をします。

At school, we clean every day using dustpans.

Using te-form to show means.

ちりとりの中に砂が入っています。

There is sand inside the dustpan.

Existence of state.

もっと大きいちりとりが必要だと思います。

I think we need a bigger dustpan.

Expressing opinion with 'to omoimasu'.

ちりとりを洗って、きれいにしました。

I washed the dustpan and made it clean.

Adjective 'kirei' used as an adverb.

文化ちりとりは、ゴミが風で飛ばないように蓋がついています。

The 'bunka' dustpan has a lid so that the trash doesn't blow away in the wind.

Using 'yō ni' to show purpose.

ちりとりを床にぴったりつけるのが、上手に掃くコツです。

The trick to sweeping well is to press the dustpan flat against the floor.

Nominalizing a sentence with 'no'.

プラスチックのちりとりは、静電気で粉がつきやすいのが難点だ。

The drawback of plastic dustpans is that powder tends to stick to them due to static electricity.

Using 'yasui' for tendency.

庭掃除には、普通のちりとりよりも「てみ」の方が効率的です。

For garden cleaning, a 'temi' is more efficient than a regular dustpan.

Comparative 'yori mo ... no hō ga'.

ちりとりが壊れたので、ガムテープで補修して使い続けている。

The dustpan broke, so I repaired it with duct tape and continue to use it.

Compound verb 'tsuzukeru'.

彼はちりとりを持って、散らばったガラスの破片を慎重に集めた。

Holding the dustpan, he carefully collected the scattered glass shards.

Adverbial 'shinchō ni'.

このちりとりは、ほうきとセットで収納できるようになっている。

This dustpan is designed so that it can be stored as a set with the broom.

Passive potential 'yō ni natte iru'.

ちりとり一杯のゴミでも、毎日捨てれば家は汚れない。

Even if it's just a dustpan full of trash, if you throw it away every day, the house won't get dirty.

Using 'ippai' for quantity.

職人が手作りした「はりみ」というちりとりは、一生ものだと言われている。

It is said that hand-crafted 'harimi' dustpans are items that last a lifetime.

Passive reporting 'to iwarete iru'.

静電気が起きにくい柿渋塗りのちりとりは、機能美の極致である。

Dustpans coated with persimmon tannin, which resist static, are the pinnacle of functional beauty.

Formal 'de aru' ending.

彼はちりとりを扱う手つき一つにも、長年の経験を感じさせる。

Even in the way he handles a dustpan, one can sense his many years of experience.

Causative 'kanjisaseru'.

現代の掃除機普及により、ちりとりの出番は減ったが、その重要性は変わらない。

With the spread of modern vacuums, the dustpan's turn has decreased, but its importance remains unchanged.

Noun + fukyū (spread/diffusion).

ちりとりに集まった塵を眺めながら、彼は諸行無常を感じた。

While gazing at the dust collected in the dustpan, he felt the impermanence of all things.

Philosophical context; 'nagara' for simultaneous actions.

そのちりとりは、長年使い込まれて角が丸くなっていた。

That dustpan had been used for so many years that its corners had become rounded.

Compound verb 'tsukaikomu'.

公共の場での清掃活動において、ちりとりはコミュニティの絆を象徴する道具となり得る。

In cleaning activities in public spaces, the dustpan can become a tool symbolizing community bonds.

Potential 'ari-uru'.

ちりとりの縁が床に密着していないと、細かい砂を完全に取り除くことは不可能だ。

Unless the edge of the dustpan is in close contact with the floor, it is impossible to completely remove fine sand.

Conditional 'nai to'.

塵取りという簡素な道具に宿る日本人の美意識を、民藝の視点から考察する。

We will examine the Japanese aesthetic sense residing in the simple tool called a 'chiritori' from the perspective of Mingei (folk art).

Highly formal academic register.

掃き溜めに鶴、というが、ちりとりに集められた塵の中にも、かつての生活の断片が息づいている。

They say 'a crane in a trash heap', but even in the dust collected in a dustpan, fragments of past life still breathe.

Using idioms and metaphorical language.

最新のロボット掃除機が跋扈する現代において、ちりとりを手に取る行為は一種の原点回帰と言えよう。

In the modern age where the latest robot vacuums dominate, the act of picking up a dustpan could be called a return to one's roots.

Speculative 'ieyō' form.

ちりとりの歴史を紐解けば、それは単なる清掃の変遷に留まらず、日本人の衛生観念の進化を如実に物語っている。

If we unravel the history of the dustpan, it does not stop at simple changes in cleaning; it vividly tells the story of the evolution of Japanese concepts of hygiene.

Formal 'ni todomarazu' (not limited to).

極限まで無駄を削ぎ落としたそのちりとりの造形は、バウハウスの理念にも通ずるものがある。

The design of that dustpan, which has stripped away waste to the extreme, has something in common with the principles of Bauhaus.

Comparing design philosophies.

ちりとりで塵を掬い取る際の微かな摩擦音にさえ、季節の移ろいを感じ取る繊細さが、かつての日本人には備わっていた。

Former Japanese people possessed the sensitivity to perceive the changing of the seasons even in the slight friction sound when scooping up dust with a dustpan.

Complex noun modification.

いかに高度な技術が発展しようとも、隅々の塵を完全に捕捉するには、やはり人間の手とちりとりが必要不可欠である。

No matter how much advanced technology develops, human hands and a dustpan remain indispensable for completely capturing dust in every corner.

Concessive 'ikani ... yō tomo'.

その老舗旅館では、ちりとり一つに至るまで丹念に磨き上げられ、客人を迎える誠実さが体現されていた。

In that long-established inn, every single item down to the dustpan was painstakingly polished, embodying the sincerity with which they welcome guests.

Emphasis 'ni itaru made'.

Common Collocations

ちりとりを使う

ちりとりに入れる

ほうきとちりとり

ちりとりを空にする

ちりとりを床に当てる

プラスチック製のちりとり

手持ちのちりとり

ちりとりを片付ける

ちりとりにゴミが残る

ちりとりを新調する

Common Phrases

ちりとり持ってきて

— Bring the dustpan. A common request during cleaning.

そこのちりとり持ってきて！

ちりとりで受けて

— Catch it with the dustpan. Used when something is falling or being brushed down.

削りかすをちりとりで受けて。

ちりとりがいっぱい

— The dustpan is full. Indicating it needs to be emptied.

もうちりとりがいっぱいだよ。

ちりとりセット

— A broom and dustpan set.

おしゃれなちりとりセットを探す。

ちりとりを合わせる

— To align the dustpan with the floor edge.

床の隙間にちりとりを合わせる。

ちりとりの角

— The corner of the dustpan.

ちりとりの角でゴミを掻き出す。

ちりとりを振る

— To shake the dustpan (to settle or empty it).

ちりとりを振ってゴミを落とす。

ちりとりを置く

— To place the dustpan down.

廊下にちりとりを置く。

ちりとりを握る

— To grip the dustpan handle.

しっかりとちりとりを握る。

ちりとりの底

— The bottom of the dustpan.

ちりとりの底をきれいにする。

Often Confused With

ちりとり vs ほうき (Hōki)

The broom. People often mix up the names of the two cleaning partners.

ちりとり vs とりちり (Torichiri)

A chicken hotpot dish. The syllables are reversed.

ちりとり vs ゴミ箱 (Gomibako)

The trash can. The dustpan is for collecting, the bin is for storing.

Idioms & Expressions

"掃き溜めに鶴"

— A crane in a trash heap; a remarkably beautiful or talented person in a mundane or dirty place.

彼女はこの職場では掃き溜めに鶴だ。

Literary

"塵も積もれば山となる"

— Even dust, if piled up, becomes a mountain; small efforts lead to great results.

毎日練習しよう。塵も積もれば山となるから。

Common

"塵を払う"

— To brush off the dust; often used metaphorically for starting fresh.

古い考えの塵を払う。

Metaphorical

"塵にまみれる"

— To be covered in dust; often means to be involved in worldly, mundane affairs.

都会の塵にまみれて生活する。

Literary

"塵あくた"

— Dust and rubbish; something worthless.

そんな思い出は塵あくたのようなものだ。

Formal

"塵一つない"

— Not a single speck of dust; perfectly clean.

部屋は塵一つない状態だった。

Common

"塵の世"

— The dusty world; the transient, mundane world in Buddhist thought.

塵の世を離れて修行する。

Religious

"塵を掃く"

— To sweep away dust; to clean up.

心の塵を掃く。

Metaphorical

"塵取り役"

— A person who does the 'dirty work' or cleans up after others (slang/metaphor).

彼はいつもチームの塵取り役だ。

Informal

"塵取りのごとく"

— Like a dustpan; collecting everything (rare).

情報を塵取りのごとく集める。

Literary

Easily Confused

ちりとり vs 手箕 (Temi)

Both are used for scooping debris.

Temi is much larger, often without a long handle, and used for heavy garden/farm work.

庭の大量の落ち葉には手箕を使いましょう。

ちりとり vs はりみ (Harimi)

It is a type of dustpan.

Harimi is specifically the traditional paper version, whereas chiritori is the general term.

はりみは和室の掃除に最適です。

ちりとり vs 掃除機 (Sōjiki)

Both clean floors.

Sōjiki is an electric vacuum; chiritori is a manual pan.

掃除機の音がうるさい時は、ちりとりを使います。

ちりとり vs 雑巾 (Zōkin)

Both are cleaning tools.

Zōkin is a cloth for wiping; chiritori is a pan for dust.

ちりとりの後は、雑巾がけをします。

ちりとり vs 塵 (Chiri)

It's part of the word.

Chiri is the dust itself; chiritori is the tool that takes it.

ちりとりでちりを集める。

Sentence Patterns

これは[Noun]です。

これはちりとりです。

[Tool]で[Object]を[Verb]。

ちりとりでゴミを集めます。

[Noun]は[Place]にあります。

ちりとりは台所にあります。

[Noun]を使って[Action]。

ちりとりを使って床をきれいにした。

[Noun]というものは[Description]。

ちりとりというものは、掃除に欠かせない道具だ。

[Noun]に至るまで[Action]。

ちりとり一つに至るまで磨き上げる。

Mixed

[Noun]と[Noun]のセット。

ほうきとちりとりのセット。

Mixed

[Noun]を[Verb-te]ください。

ちりとりを持ってきてください。

Word Family

Nouns

塵 (Chiri - Dust)

取り (Tori - Taker)

掃除 (Sōji - Cleaning)

Verbs

取る (Toru - To take)

掃く (Haku - To sweep)

集める (Atsumeru - To collect)

Adjectives

汚い (Kitanai - Dirty)

清潔な (Seiketsu na - Clean)

ほうき (Broom)

ゴミ箱 (Trash can)

掃除機 (Vacuum)

雑巾 (Rag)

バケツ (Bucket)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily domestic and school contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'haku' (sweep) with chiritori. → Using 'atsumeru' (collect) or 'ireru' (put in).
You sweep with a broom, but you collect with a dustpan.
Calling a vacuum cleaner a 'chiritori'. → Calling it 'sōjiki'.
A chiritori is strictly the manual pan, not the electric machine.
Confusing 'chiritori' with 'torichiri'. → Check the order of syllables.
One is for cleaning, the other is a chicken dish. Context usually helps, but be careful!
Writing the kanji 塵 incorrectly. → Use hiragana.
The kanji is very complex and rarely used by natives in casual settings.
Thinking 'chiritori' includes the broom. → Use 'hōki to chiritori'.
In English, we sometimes say 'Where's the dustpan?' meaning the whole set, but in Japanese, they are distinct.

Tips

School Cleaning

In Japan, cleaning is a social duty. Don't be surprised to see everyone from kids to office workers using a chiritori.

Buying Guide

If you want one that doesn't let dust stick, look for a metal one or a traditional 'harimi'.

Writing Style

Stick to hiragana. Using the kanji 塵取り might make you look like you're trying too hard or reading a 19th-century novel.

Outdoor Tip

When cleaning outside, use a 'bunka-chiritori' with a lid so the wind doesn't undo your hard work.

Word Origin

Remember the compound: Chiri (dust) + Tori (taker). It's a very logical name!

Particle Choice

Use 'de' for the tool: 'Chiritori DE atsumeru'. Use 'ni' for the destination: 'Chiritori NI ireru'.

Pronunciation

Keep it flat. Japanese pitch accent is key. CHI-RI-TO-RI should sound like four steady beats.

Organization

Many Japanese dustpans have a hole in the handle so you can hang them on a hook with the broom.

Harimi Dustpans

Traditional harimi are made of layers of paper and fermented persimmon juice. They are beautiful and functional.

Cleaning Days

Join your local 'Clean-up Day' in Japan. Bringing your own chiritori is a great way to make friends with neighbors.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CHIRI' as 'CHEERY' and 'TORI' as 'TORY' (a bird in Japanese). A 'Cheery Bird' helping you pick up dust with its beak!

Visual Association

Imagine a broom pushing a pile of dust into a smiling plastic pan that looks like it's saying 'Thank you for the meal!'

Word Web

Dust Broom Floor Handle Plastic Sweep Trash Clean

Challenge

Try to find a dustpan in your house and say 'Kore wa chiritori desu' three times while using it.

Word Origin

A compound of 'chiri' (dust) and 'tori' (the stem of the verb 'toru', to take). It has been used since the Edo period to describe the tool used to catch swept debris.

Original meaning: A device that takes or collects dust.

Japonic (Native Japanese origin / Yamato Kotoba).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral household object.

In the West, cleaning is often seen as a low-status chore or someone else's job (janitors), whereas in Japan, it's a shared social ritual.

Sōji-no-jikan (Cleaning time) in almost every school-themed anime. Zen Buddhist texts on 'Sweeping the Heart'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Classroom Cleaning

ちりとり貸して (Lend me the dustpan)
ゴミ集めたよ (I collected the trash)
隅っこも掃いて (Sweep the corners too)
ちりとりどこ？ (Where is the dustpan?)

Home Chores

玄関を掃く (Sweep the entrance)
ちりとりでゴミを捨てる (Throw away trash with a dustpan)
新しいの買おう (Let's buy a new one)
これ使いにくい (This is hard to use)

Gardening

落ち葉を集める (Collect fallen leaves)
てみを持ってきて (Bring the temi)
土が入っちゃった (Dirt got in)
外用のちりとり (Outdoor dustpan)

Hardware Store

掃除用具売り場 (Cleaning supply section)
丈夫なちりとり (Durable dustpan)
セット売り (Sold as a set)
一番安いやつ (The cheapest one)

Temple/Shrine

境内を掃き清める (Sweep and purify the grounds)
竹ほうきとちりとり (Bamboo broom and dustpan)
朝の勤行 (Morning ritual/service)
心を磨く (Polishing the heart)

Conversation Starters

"「ちりとりはどこに置いてありますか？」 (Where do you keep the dustpan?)"

"「このちりとり、デザインが可愛いですね。」 (This dustpan has a cute design, doesn't it?)"

"「ほうきとちりとりで掃除するの、意外とリラックスしませんか？」 (Don't you find cleaning with a broom and dustpan surprisingly relaxing?)"

"「学校の掃除の時間、ちりとり係でしたか？」 (During school cleaning time, were you in charge of the dustpan?)"

"「キャンプに持っていくなら、小さいちりとりが便利ですよ。」 (If you're going camping, a small dustpan is convenient.)"

Journal Prompts

今日はほうきとちりとりを使って、家の中を丁寧に掃除しました。どんな気分になりましたか？ (Today I cleaned the house carefully using a broom and dustpan. How did it make you feel?)

あなたが子供の頃、学校の掃除の時間にどんな道具を使っていましたか？ (What tools did you use during school cleaning time when you were a child?)

最新の掃除機と、昔ながらのちりとり。どちらが好きですか？その理由も書いてください。 (Modern vacuums vs. old-fashioned dustpans. Which do you like better? Please write the reason.)

「塵も積もれば山となる」という言葉について、あなたの経験を書いてください。 (Write about your experience regarding the saying 'Even dust, if piled up, becomes a mountain'.)

もし、魔法のちりとりがあったら、あなたは何を集めたいですか？ (If you had a magic dustpan, what would you want to collect?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

A chiritori is a standard household dustpan. A temi is a larger, basket-like tool used for gardening or agriculture to move large volumes of soil or leaves.

No, the kanji 塵取り is quite rare in daily life. Most people write it in hiragana (ちりとり) because the kanji for 'chiri' (dust) is complex and not a Joyo kanji.

Cleaning (sōji) is part of the educational curriculum in Japan. Using manual tools like brooms and dustpans teaches students responsibility, teamwork, and respect for their surroundings.

It translates to 'cultural dustpan' and refers to a standing dustpan with a handle and a lid that opens and closes, typically used outdoors to keep trash from blowing away.

No, a snow shovel is called 'yukikaki' or 'sukoppu'. However, a large 'temi' is sometimes used to scoop up small amounts of snow.

The most common are 'tsukau' (use), 'atsumeru' (collect), and 'ireru' (put in).

It is a neutral, standard noun. It is neither polite nor impolite, just the name of the object.

For small ones, use '-ko' (hitotsu, futatsu, or ikko, niko). For larger ones, you might use '-dai'.

There aren't many direct idioms, but the word 'chiri' (dust) is in many, like 'Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru' (Dust piled up becomes a mountain).

Yes, they are very common there, often sold as a set with a small broom.