Translation guide
The English word "piece" has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a part of something, a single item, an artistic work, and more. Japanese uses different words depending on what kind of "piece" you mean.
Referring to a broken-off part, a slice, or a component of a whole.
A broken piece, fragment, or splinter. Often used for physical objects like glass, metal, or bone.
Pieces of glass were on the floor.
A small fragment or scrap. Can be used for both physical and abstract things (e.g., a piece of memory).
I gave the birds a piece of bread.
A single piece or fragment, often used in formal or written contexts.
There isn't a single piece of bread left.
A cut-off piece, scrap, or leftover bit, like a piece of cloth or paper.
I made a doll from pieces of cloth.
Counting or referring to one individual object, often when the object is implied or generic.
Japanese uses counters (助数詞) for counting items. The counter depends on the shape or type of object. For example, 枚 (まい) for flat objects, 個 (こ) for small objects, 本 (ほん) for long objects. To say 'a piece of paper', use 一枚 (いちまい).
Please give me a piece of paper.
I ate three pieces of chocolate.
An item or article, often used in commercial contexts (e.g., a piece of merchandise).
One item, especially in art, collections, or retail. Literally 'one point'.
Referring to a created work such as a painting, sculpture, musical composition, or writing.
A general term for a creative work (art, literature, music, etc.).
This piece is his masterpiece.
Specifically a piece of music.
A painting or drawing; a piece of visual art.
A sculpture or carved piece.
Referring to a unit of currency or a game piece.
A piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine.
Referring to a single garment or accessory.
A plot or parcel of land.
A single unit of abstract information.
Use 一つの (one) before the noun to mean 'a piece of'. Common with 助言 (advice), 情報 (information), ニュース (news).
Can I give you a piece of advice?
He told me an interesting piece of information.
In many cases, English uses 'piece' as a generic counter, but Japanese requires a specific counter word. For example, 'a piece of cake' is ケーキ一個 (ケーキいっこ), not ケーキの一片. Learn the appropriate counter for the object.
破片 (はへん) is for hard, broken fragments (glass, metal). かけら is for smaller, often softer scraps (bread, memories). かけら can be more poetic.
This piece is the only one available.
This painting is the most famous piece among his works.
She played a piece on the piano.
There is a lovely piece of art on the wall.
その彫刻は大理石でできている。
That piece is made of marble.
You need a coin to play the game.
Move a shogi piece.
彼女は経済学の論文を発表した。
She published a piece on economics.
このジャケットは今季のマストアイテムだ。
This jacket is a must-have piece this season.
This piece of land is for residential use.