簸箕
bòjī
The English word 'dustpan' is translated into Mandarin as 簸箕 (bòjī). Wiktionary also lists 畚箕 (běnjī) and 垃圾鏟 / 垃圾铲 (lājīchǎn).
Meaning: flat scoop for assembling dust (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 簸箕 | bòjī | |
| 畚箕 | běnjī | regional |
| 垃圾鏟 / 垃圾铲 | lājīchǎn | regional |
A dustpan is a flat scoop for assembling dust.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 垃圾鏟 is a compound of 垃圾 (garbage) and 鏟 (shovel/scoop).
Which one should you use?
畚箕 refers to a dustpan or a similar collection tool, and 垃圾鏟 literally means 'garbage shovel'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern China and Taiwan, 畚箕 is frequently used to refer to a dustpan or a similar collection tool. The term 垃圾鏟 is also common in Taiwan and some Southern regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 簸箕 does not change its form for plurality or tense.
How do you pronounce it?
bòjī
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, certain bamboo baskets like the 畚箕 were occasionally used in folk rituals or symbolic offerings, far beyond their utility as cleaning tools.
- The character 鏟 in 垃圾鏟 is the same character used for heavy-duty construction shovels, making a small household dustpan sound much more industrial in Mandarin.
- In Taiwan and Southern China, you might use 畚箕 to describe a simple household dustpan, even though the word originally described much larger, traditional bamboo baskets used for carrying materials.
Examples in context
- 请把这个簸箕给我。Qǐng bǎ zhège bòjī gěi wǒ.Please give me this dustpan.
- 这个簸箕坏了。Zhège bòjī huàile.This dustpan is broken.
- 我们需要买个新的簸箕。Wǒmen xūyào mǎi gè xīn de bòjī.We need to buy a new dustpan.
Example conversation
Jiayi is cleaning the living room floor.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，帮我拿一下簸箕。Zhìqiáng, bāng wǒ ná yīxià bòjī.Zhiqiang, help me get the dustpan.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是在厨房那个吗？Shì zài chúfáng nàge ma?Is it the one in the kitchen?
- 佳怡 Jiayi对，就在那里。Duì, jiù zài nàlǐ.Yes, it's right there.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，这就给你。Hǎo de, zhè jiù gěi nǐ.Okay, I'll give it to you now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dustpan” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
