ゴミ箱

• Reading: ごみばこ
• Romaji: gomibako
• Kanji breakdown: 箱 (bako/hako) — box, container
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.mi.ba.ko/

Meaning

Trash can; garbage can; rubbish bin; dustbin. A container for discarding waste.

ゴミ (garbage/trash) is typically written in katakana. In Japan, most ゴミ箱 in public spaces have separate compartments for 燃えるゴミ (burnable waste), プラスチック (plastics), and ビン・カン (bottles and cans), reflecting Japan's strict garbage sorting culture.

Examples

1. ゴミはゴミ箱に捨ててください。 Please throw your trash in the trash can.
2. コンビニの前にゴミ箱がありますよ。 There's a trash can in front of the convenience store.
3. 部屋のゴミ箱がいっぱいになった。 The trash can in my room got full.

Usage Guide

Context: home, public places, office

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of ゴミ (garbage, from Old Japanese gomi meaning small particles/dust) and 箱 (box). Literally 'garbage box.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal