垃圾
lājī, lèsè
The English word "trash" can be translated into Chinese as 垃圾 (lājī, lèsè). Wiktionary also lists 廢物 / 废物 (fèiwù).
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 垃圾 | lājī, lèsè |
| 廢物 / 废物 | fèiwù |
The term 垃圾 refers to physical things that are discarded or garbage. If you want to say "trash can", you can add 桶 (meaning bucket or can) to the end of the word to form 垃圾桶. In slang, the term 渣 (zhā) is also used to mean trash.
Which one should you use?
While 垃圾 refers to physical garbage, 废物 (or the simplified 废物) is often used metaphorically to describe a person who is perceived as a failure or a useless person.
How does it change in a sentence?
垃圾 is an uncountable noun. Similar to how "trash" is used in English, you do not add a plural marker to it to indicate multiple pieces of garbage.
How do you pronounce it?
lājī, lèsè
Did you know?
- The slang term 渣 (zhā), meaning 'dregs' or 'trash', is commonly used in the phrase 渣男 (zhānán) to describe a 'scumbag' or a dishonest man in relationships.
- The second syllable of the common Mandarin pronunciation lājī is actually an irregularity. It is pronounced 'jī' rather than following the phonetic component 'jí', a mistake that became the standard.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, describing something as 'trash' can sometimes be used as an ironic way to express a 'guilty pleasure' for low-quality entertainment.
Examples in context
- 垃圾真的开始成堆了。The trash is really starting to pile up.This sentence shows how 垃圾 can be used when talking about piles of garbage.Tatoeba #12615488 by Enzo, translation #12615236 by jacoblaguerre
- 在新加坡的街道上扔垃圾会被罚款。They fine you in Singapore if you throw trash in the streets.This sentence uses 垃圾 in the context of fines for littering in Singapore.Tatoeba #5576760 by verdastelo9604, translation #52475 by CM
- 这个垃圾袋不含任何有害化学物质。This trash bag does not contain any dangerous chemicals.This sentence uses 垃圾 to describe a trash bag.Tatoeba #8800818 by crescat, translation #8860554 by iiujik
- 我要丢一袋垃圾。I need to throw away a bag of trash.
- 这些废物只会浪费时间。These trash/toxic people only waste time.
- 他是个垃圾人，别理他。He's a trash person, don't bother with him.
- 这本书太渣了，我不想看了。This book is so trashy, I don't want to read it anymore.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are cleaning their apartment.
- 梓涵 Zihan把这些垃圾拿出去吧。Bǎ zhèxiē lājī ná chūqù ba.Let's take this trash out.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，我这就去。Hǎo de, wǒ zhè jiù qù.Okay, I'll go right now.
- 梓涵 Zihan记得带上那个垃圾袋。Jìdé dài shàng nàgè lājī dài.Remember to bring that trash bag.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没问题，拿上了。Méi wèntí, ná shàng le.No problem, I've got it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trash” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 垃圾, 廢物, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
