关于“垃圾”的英语翻译，综合多个权威来源的信息如下：

一、核心翻译词汇

garbage

主要翻译为“垃圾”“废物”，是美式英语中更常用的表达。

例句：

The city needs to improve its waste management system.

The company was criticized for producing garbage products.

rubbish

常与 garbage互换使用，但更强调体积小、破碎的废弃物，或愚蠢无用的言论。

例句：

Please sort your rubbish into the recycling bin.

His comments were just rubbish.

trash

指体积较大、散落的废弃物，如街道垃圾。

例句：

The beach was covered in trash after the party.

We need to compact the trash before disposing of it.

litter

特指散落在地上的废弃物，如纸屑、烟蒂等。

例句：

The park was clean, with no litter on the ground.

The dog chased after the cat, leaving a trail of litter.

二、其他相关表达

organic waste：

特指厨余垃圾或不可回收物。

rubbish truck：垃圾车。

garbage collector：拾荒者。

三、用法注意事项

地域差异：garbage 更倾向美式英语，rubbish 多用于英式英语，但两者可通用。

扩展含义：该词可作名词、形容词、动词及副词，需根据语境选择。例如：

The movie was pure rubbish.（形容词）

建议根据具体语境选择最贴切的词汇，若需强调“废弃物”属性， garbage和 rubbish更合适；若强调“散落状态”则选 litter，而 trash多用于工业或大规模废弃物场景。