Describes a space or atmosphere that is visibly dusty or feels unclean due to accumulated dust.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe a place filled with dust.
- Indicates a lack of cleaning or a dusty environment.
- Can also describe air quality affected by dust or sand.
Overview
- 1概要：埃っぽいとは、目に見えるほどの細かい塵や埃が空間に漂っている、あるいは表面に積もっている状態を指します。視覚的な汚れだけでなく、吸い込むと喉がイガイガするような不快な感覚を伴うことも多い言葉です。2) 使用パターン：主に場所や空気の状態を形容するために使われます。「埃っぽい部屋」「埃っぽい空気」「埃っぽい道」のように、名詞を直接修飾する形が一般的です。また、「この部屋は埃っぽい」のように述語としても使えます。3) よくある文脈：長期間掃除をしていない古い家、本棚の奥、工事現場、あるいは雨が降らずに土が乾いた屋外などで頻繁に使用されます。比喩的に、古い資料や忘れ去られた記憶に対して「埃っぽい記憶」のように使うこともあります。4) 類語との比較：『汚い（きたない）』は全体的な不潔さを指しますが、『埃っぽい』は特に塵や埃に限定されます。『砂っぽい』は砂の粒子が混じっているニュアンスが強く、屋外の環境に対して使われることが多いです。
Examples
この部屋は埃っぽくて、くしゃみが出る。
everydayThis room is dusty, and it makes me sneeze.
埃っぽい本棚から古いアルバムを見つけた。
formalI found an old album on the dusty bookshelf.
風が強くて埃っぽい一日だった。
informalIt was a windy and dusty day.
資料室は埃っぽく、換気が必要だ。
academicThe archives are dusty and require ventilation.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
埃を払う
To dust off
埃をかぶる
To be covered in dust
埃が舞う
Dust is floating in the air
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to sand or grit. Used more for outdoor environments or textures.
A general term for 'dirty'. It covers everything from trash to stains, not just dust.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '埃っぽい' to describe environments that have not been cleaned. It is a neutral-to-negative adjective. It is frequently used in daily conversation to explain why someone is sneezing or why they want to clean a room.
Common Mistakes
Don't use it for things that are stained or greasy. It specifically refers to dust particles. Beginners sometimes confuse it with 'dirty' in a moral or abstract sense.
Tips
Focus on the physical sensation
Think of the feeling in your throat when breathing dusty air. This helps remember that it refers to particles in the air.
Don't use for general messiness
If a room is messy with clothes or trash, use '散らかっている' instead of '埃っぽい'.
Cultural focus on cleanliness
In Japan, being '埃っぽい' is often considered a sign of poor maintenance, reflecting the cultural value of cleanliness.
Word Origin
Derived from 'Hokori' (dust) and the suffix '-ppoi' which denotes a tendency or a state of being.
Cultural Context
Cleanliness is highly valued in Japanese culture. Describing a space as '埃っぽい' implies a lack of care and is often a prompt to start cleaning.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Hokori' (dust) + 'ppoi' (feeling like). It feels like dust everywhere!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「汚い」はゴミや汚れ全般を指す広い言葉です。「埃っぽい」は、特に塵や埃が原因で不快な状態であることを強調します。
いいえ、食べ物に対しては使いません。食べ物が埃をかぶっている場合は「埃をかぶった」と言い、味や食感が砂のようであれば「砂っぽい」と表現します。
明確な反対語はありませんが、「清潔な」や「掃除が行き届いた」という表現が対照的です。
はい、通常は不快感や掃除不足を指摘するネガティブな文脈で使われます。
Test Yourself
長年使っていない倉庫はとても___。
使っていない場所には埃が溜まりやすいため、この表現が適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
Describes a space or atmosphere that is visibly dusty or feels unclean due to accumulated dust.
- Used to describe a place filled with dust.
- Indicates a lack of cleaning or a dusty environment.
- Can also describe air quality affected by dust or sand.
Focus on the physical sensation
Think of the feeling in your throat when breathing dusty air. This helps remember that it refers to particles in the air.
Don't use for general messiness
If a room is messy with clothes or trash, use '散らかっている' instead of '埃っぽい'.
Cultural focus on cleanliness
In Japan, being '埃っぽい' is often considered a sign of poor maintenance, reflecting the cultural value of cleanliness.
Examples
4 of 4この部屋は埃っぽくて、くしゃみが出る。
This room is dusty, and it makes me sneeze.
埃っぽい本棚から古いアルバムを見つけた。
I found an old album on the dusty bookshelf.
風が強くて埃っぽい一日だった。
It was a windy and dusty day.
資料室は埃っぽく、換気が必要だ。
The archives are dusty and require ventilation.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More home words
上に
B1Above; on top of.
不在
B1Absent; not present. Not in a particular place.
手頃な
B1Affordable, reasonable (price).
お先に
B1Excuse me for going first; said when leaving before others.
仲介
B1Mediation, agency (e.g., real estate).
あっ
B1Ah!; an exclamation of sudden realization or surprise.
エアコン
A2air conditioner
冷暖房
B1Air conditioning and heating system.
風通しの良い
B1Well-ventilated; airy.
～可
A2Suffix meaning "permitted" or "allowed".
