Translation guide
The English word "chips" can refer to several different foods depending on the region. This guide covers the main meanings: thin fried potato snacks (US chips/UK crisps), thick fried potato pieces (UK chips/US fries), and tortilla chips. It also touches on related concepts like chocolate chips and gambling chips.
potato chips (crisps)
fries (thick chips)
tortilla chips
chocolate chips
casino chips
Express the concept of thin, crispy fried potato slices sold in bags.
a bag of chips · salt and vinegar chips · potato chips
The most common and direct translation for potato chips. Often shortened to ポテチ in casual speech.
I watched a movie while eating potato chips.
Casual abbreviation of ポテトチップス, commonly used in everyday conversation.
Shortened form, often used in product names or when the context is clear.
Express the concept of thick-cut fried potatoes, like British fish and chips or American steak fries.
fish and chips · a portion of chips · steak and chips
Express the concept of triangular fried corn chips, often served with salsa or guacamole.
tortilla chips and salsa · nachos with chips · corn chips
Direct translation for tortilla chips. Commonly used in Japanese supermarkets and Mexican restaurants.
Express the concept of small pieces of chocolate used in baking.
chocolate chip cookies · mint chocolate chip ice cream
Express the concept of tokens used in casinos or games.
poker chips · cash in your chips
Used for casino chips or tokens in games. Note: singular form チップ is used even for multiple chips.
Express the concept of integrated circuits or silicon chips.
computer chip · silicon chip · chip shortage
Used for computer chips, microchips, etc. Often combined with other words like 半導体チップ (semiconductor chip).
Do not translate 'chips' directly as チップス in all contexts. チップス usually means thin potato chips (crisps). For thick fries, use フライドポテト or ポテトフライ. For tortilla chips, use トルティーヤチップス. Context is key.
ポテトチップス are thin, crispy, and eaten as a snack. フライドポテト are thicker, softer inside, and often served as a side dish. In British English, the former are 'crisps' and the latter are 'chips', but in American English, both can be called 'chips' (though 'fries' is more common for the latter).
Buy some chips (crisps) on your way home.
このチップスは塩味です。
These chips are salted.
General term for fried potatoes, covering both thin fries and thick chips. Often shortened to フライドポテト or just ポテト in fast food contexts.
Thick-cut fries go well with fish and chips.
Another common term for French fries or chips, used in restaurants and home cooking.
We serve freshly fried chips (fries).
When referring specifically to British-style thick chips, チップス can be used, but it's less common and may be confused with potato chips. Usually seen in the context of 'fish and chips'.
I want to try authentic fish and chips.
I eat tortilla chips with salsa.
Shortened form, often used when the context is clear (e.g., at a Mexican restaurant).
You can get free refills on tortilla chips.
Literally 'corn chips', sometimes used for tortilla chips or similar corn-based snacks.
Corn chips are crispy and delicious.
Standard term for chocolate chips. Used in baking and ice cream.
I baked chocolate chip cookies.
He lost all his chips in poker.
This smartphone is equipped with the latest chip.
Specifically refers to an integrated circuit chip.
Demand for IC chips is increasing.