Translation guide
Abrasive paper or cloth used for smoothing or polishing surfaces, commonly called sandpaper in everyday English. In Japanese, the general term is 紙やすり, with specific types distinguished by backing material.
The learner wants to refer to the common abrasive sheet used in woodworking, crafts, or DIY.
The standard everyday word for sandpaper or emery paper. Literally 'paper file'. Used for wood, metal, and general smoothing.
紙やすりで表面を滑らかにしてください。
Please smooth the surface with sandpaper.
Loanword from English 'sandpaper'. Common in DIY contexts and understood by most, but 紙やすり is more native.
サンドペーパーを買ってきて。
Go buy some sandpaper.
The learner specifically means abrasive on a cloth backing, often used for metal or tougher jobs.
Abrasive cloth, literally 'cloth file'. More durable than paper-backed types. Used for metalworking or when flexibility is needed.
金属の研磨には布やすりを使います。
We use emery cloth for polishing metal.
Direct loanword for 'emery cloth'. Used in technical or industrial settings, but 布やすり is more common.
エメリークロスで錆を落とす。
Remove rust with emery cloth.
The learner wants to distinguish emery paper from other abrasives like garnet or aluminum oxide paper.
Technical term for paper coated with emery abrasive. Rare in everyday speech; usually just called 紙やすり.
エメリーペーパーは金属研磨に適している。
Emery paper is suitable for metal polishing.
In most everyday situations, 紙やすり covers both sandpaper and emery paper. Only specify 布やすり or エメリーペーパー when the backing material or abrasive type is important.