Ask a neighbour or local office how to handle an unfamiliar item.

The idea

どうやって分けますか asks how to sort; 何ごみですか asks for a category. The て-form plus から in 洗ってから means “after washing”. 何曜日 asks which day of the week.

Examples

  • すみません、このごみはどうやって分わけますか。Excuse me, how do I sort this rubbish?
  • この瓶びんは何なんごみですか。What category of rubbish is this bottle?
  • ペットボトルは洗あらってから出だしますか。Should I wash the PET bottle before putting it out?
  • ふたは別べつに捨すてますか。Do I throw away the cap separately?
  • 燃もえるごみは何曜日なんようびに出だしますか。What day do I put out burnable rubbish?
  • ごみの分わけ方かたを教おしえてください。Please tell me how to sort the rubbish.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Collection categories, preparation and schedules vary by municipality. These questions do not assert that every bottle or cap is handled alike; check your local guide.

Try it yourself

  1. このごみは＿＿分わけますか。（どうやって／いつ）

    Show answer or example answer

    どうやって

    どうやって asks how to sort the item.

  2. ペットボトルは＿＿から出だしますか。（洗あらって／洗あらいます）

    Show answer or example answer

    洗って

    洗ってから means after washing; it places washing before putting it out.

  3. 燃もえるごみは＿＿に出だしますか。（何曜日なんようび／どこ）

    Show answer or example answer

    何曜日

    何曜日 asks which day of the week, rather than where to put rubbish.

Use it today

Point to an item and ask its category, then ask about preparation and collection day.