Translation guide
The English word "shingle" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: roofing material, a beach covered in pebbles, a small signboard, and a hairstyle. It also notes the medical term "shingles," which is a different word in Japanese.
A thin piece of wood, slate, or other material used in overlapping rows to cover a roof or wall.
General term for a roofing board or shingle. Can refer to any material.
屋根板を張り替える必要がある。
We need to replace the shingles.
Specifically a wooden shingle, often used in traditional Japanese architecture.
この寺の屋根はこけら板で葺かれている。
The roof of this temple is covered with wooden shingles.
Refers to slate shingles, common in Western-style roofing.
スレート板の屋根は耐久性が高い。
Slate shingle roofs are highly durable.
Loanword from English, used in some construction contexts, but less common than native terms.
アスファルトシングルは安価で人気がある。
Asphalt shingles are cheap and popular.
A beach or area covered with small, smooth stones or pebbles.
Literally 'gravel beach', the most direct term for a shingle beach.
その海岸は砂浜ではなく砂利浜だ。
That coast is not a sandy beach but a shingle beach.
More technical term for a pebble beach, often used in geography.
礫浜は波の音が独特だ。
The sound of the waves on a shingle beach is unique.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'beach with many pebbles', easily understood.
小石の多い浜辺を歩くのは大変だ。
Walking on a shingle beach is tough.
A small, usually rectangular sign hung outside a business or office, especially for doctors or lawyers.
General word for signboard, can be used for a shingle. Often specified with context.
医者は診療所の外に看板を掲げた。
The doctor hung a shingle outside his clinic.
Specifically a nameplate, often used for a professional's shingle at an entrance.
Simply 'small signboard', a clear description.
彼は開業して小さな看板を出した。
He started his practice and put up a shingle.
A woman's short hairstyle where the hair is cut in layers, typically tapered at the back.
Loanword from English 'shingle cut', commonly used in Japanese hair salons.
彼女は髪をシングルカットにした。
She got her hair cut in a shingle.
Means 'layered cut', which describes the shingle style. More general.
段カットは首元がすっきり見える。
A shingle cut makes the neck look neat.
A viral disease causing a painful skin rash with blisters, also called herpes zoster.
The standard medical term for shingles.
帯状疱疹は水痘ウイルスによって引き起こされる。
Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
Often used colloquially, but can refer to herpes in general. Use with caution.
May be ambiguous; 帯状疱疹 is clearer for shingles.
The medical condition 'shingles' is a completely different word in Japanese (帯状疱疹). The roofing material, beach, signboard, and hairstyle are unrelated. Always check context.
屋根のシングルと帯状疱疹は全く別の意味です。
Roof shingles and shingles (the disease) are completely different meanings.
弁護士の表札がドアに付いている。
The lawyer's shingle is on the door.
The shingles hurt so much I can't sleep.