Translation guide
The English word "flake" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: a small flat piece, an unreliable person, and the verb meaning to peel off. It provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
A thin, flat piece of something, like snow, paint, or food.
a flake of snow · flakes of paint · corn flakes
General counter for a small flat piece. Often used with a preceding noun.
A snowflake fell onto my palm.
A fragment or small broken piece, often of something hard.
Flakes of glass were on the floor.
Loanword used for food like corn flakes or soap flakes.
I ate corn flakes for breakfast.
Technical term for a thin slice or flake, used in science or formal contexts.
We observed a thin section of rock under the microscope.
A person who often cancels plans or fails to follow through.
Literally 'person who cancels at the last minute'. Very common in casual speech.
He's a flake, so don't expect too much.
Means 'unreliable person'. More general than just canceling plans.
Irresponsible or half-hearted person. Implies lack of seriousness.
Instead of a direct label, describe the behavior: 'よく約束を破る' (often breaks promises) or '急に来なくなる' (suddenly doesn't show up).
He often flakes on plans, so I can't trust him.
To come off in thin pieces, like paint or skin.
Intransitive verb for something peeling or flaking off naturally.
The paint on the wall is starting to flake off.
Transitive verb for deliberately peeling or flaking something off.
Describes small pieces falling off bit by bit, like dry skin or plaster.
My skin is so dry it's flaking off.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches the slang 'flake' (unreliable person). Using 'フレーク' to mean a person will not be understood. Use the phrases provided instead.
剥がれる (intransitive) is used when something comes off by itself. 剥がす (transitive) is used when someone removes it. Compare: ペンキが剥がれた (The paint flaked off) vs ペンキを剥がした (I flaked off the paint).
She's a flake, so don't count on her promises.
That guy is a flake; he often slacks off at work.
古いペンキを剥がしてから、新しいのを塗った。
I flaked off the old paint and then applied new paint.