粉尘 (fěnchén): dust

Meanings

1 dust
2 airborne powder
3 particulate matter (industrial/occupational)

Characters

粉

dust; dirt; this mortal world

Examples

工厂里的粉尘浓度超标了。

Gōngchǎng lǐ de fěnchén nóngdù chāobiāo le.

The dust concentration in the factory has exceeded the standard.

工人需要佩戴口罩防止吸入粉尘。

Gōngrén xūyào pèidài kǒuzhào fángzhǐ xīrù fěnchén.

Workers need to wear masks to prevent inhaling dust particles.

Tips

usage

粉尘 specifically refers to fine industrial or occupational airborne particles (coal dust, wood dust, silica dust, etc.), distinguishing it from everyday 灰尘 (household dust) or 尘土 (dirt/dust on surfaces). Prolonged 粉尘 exposure causes 尘肺病 (pneumoconiosis).