trash can

IPA/ˈtræʃ kæn/
IPA/ˈtræʃ kæn/

trash can — noun

1. a container kept inside a home, especially in a kitchen, where people put everyd

1.名詞A2
釋義

a container kept inside a home, especially in a kitchen, where people put everyday rubbish such as food scraps and packaging before taking it outside

例句

Wei threw the empty yoghurt pot into the trash can under the sink.

The kitchen trash can was full of banana skins and coffee grounds.

passive state: be full of

同義詞
  • garbage can

    equally common in American English; 'garbage' often implies wet or food waste

  • bin

    shorter, used in both American and British English

  • wastebasket

    typically smaller indoor container for paper waste, often found in offices

文法句型

trash can + verb (singular)

a/the trash can

用法筆記

Trash can is the common term in American English for a household waste container. British English uses 'dustbin' or 'rubbish bin' instead.

常見錯誤

I put the apple core in trash.
I put the apple core in the trash can.
💡'trash' means waste material; 'trash can' is the container that holds it.
We have two trash cans — one for recycle.
We have two trash cans
💡one for recycling.' — 'recycle' is a verb; 'recycling' is the noun form needed here.

2. a large container with a lid, kept outside a house or in a public area such as a

2.名詞A2
釋義

a large container with a lid, kept outside a house or in a public area such as a park or street, that holds rubbish until it is collected by a waste service

例句

Tomás dropped his ticket stub into the trash can by the bus stop.

collocation: trash can by [location]

The large trash cans at the park have heavy lids that keep animals out.

同義詞
  • garbage can

    interchangeable in American English

  • dumpster

    much larger industrial container, often found behind shops

  • litter bin

    more common in British English for public waste containers

文法句型

trash can + verb (singular)

a/the trash can

用法筆記

This sense usually refers to a larger container than the household type. Many cities place public trash cans along sidewalks and in parks for pedestrians to use.