Translation guide
The English word "scrap" covers several distinct meanings: a small piece or fragment, discarded material, a fight, and the act of discarding or abolishing something. Japanese uses different words for each.
A tiny bit or leftover piece of something, like paper, cloth, or food.
a scrap of paper · scraps of fabric · not a scrap of evidence
A small cut-off piece, often of cloth, paper, or string. Very common for physical scraps.
I made a doll from scraps of cloth.
A fragment or broken piece, often of hard materials like glass or pottery. Also used metaphorically.
Scraps of glass were on the floor.
Waste or leftover bits, often implying something worthless. Used for paper scraps, food scraps, etc.
Please throw away the paper scraps.
A single fragment or slice. More literary or formal.
He put a scrap of bread in his mouth.
Waste material, especially metal, that is thrown away or recycled.
sell for scrap · scrap metal · a heap of scrap
Loanword from English, used specifically for scrap metal or industrial waste.
This car is only good for scrap.
Waste materials, often from construction or manufacturing. More formal than スクラップ.
Scrap iron or steel. Common in recycling contexts.
A physical fight or a heated argument.
get into a scrap · a scrap broke out · a verbal scrap
General word for a fight, quarrel, or argument. Can be physical or verbal.
The kids got into a little scrap.
A fistfight or brawl. Emphasizes physical punching.
A verbal dispute or argument. More formal than けんか.
To get rid of something, such as a plan, system, or object, because it is no longer useful.
scrap a plan · scrap the project · scrap the old system
To abolish or discontinue a system, rule, or plan. Common for policies or projects.
The plan was scrapped due to lack of budget.
To stop or give up on something. Casual and versatile.
To scrap or nullify a contract, agreement, or document. Formal.
We had to scrap the contract.
To dismantle or scrap a vehicle or large structure. Used for physical scrapping.
They scrapped the old ship.
The loanword スクラップ is mainly for scrap metal or industrial waste. Using it for a scrap of paper or a fight will sound unnatural.
かけら is for hard, broken fragments (glass, pottery), while 切れ端 is for soft, cut-off pieces (cloth, paper). かけら can also be metaphorical (a scrap of memory).
工事現場から廃材を回収した。
We collected scrap materials from the construction site.
We collected scrap iron and sold it.
A scrap broke out at the bar.
彼らはお金のことで口論になった。
They had a scrap over money.
We decided to scrap the project.