Translation guide
The English word "shred" has several distinct meanings: to tear into strips, to destroy documents with a shredder, a small amount or fragment, and in slang, to perform extremely well (especially in sports or music). This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To tear something into long, narrow pieces, often by hand or with a tool.
General phrase meaning 'to tear into small pieces'. '細かく' means 'finely', and '裂く' means 'to tear'.
He tore the paper into shreds.
Emphasizes tearing into many ragged pieces; 'ずたずた' is an onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'to shreds'.
The dog shredded the cushion.
To tear into small pieces, often by hand. Commonly used for tearing paper or fabric.
She shredded the letter.
Formal/technical term for cutting into fine pieces, often used for document shredding or industrial processes.
Shred confidential documents.
To use a machine to cut paper into strips or particles for security.
Most common phrase; literally 'put through a shredder'. 'シュレッダー' is a loanword.
Please shred these documents.
Formal verb for shredding, often used in office contexts.
A tiny piece or a very small quantity of something, often used in negative contexts.
Means 'a fragment' or 'a shred'. Often used in phrases like '一片の真実' (a shred of truth).
There isn't a shred of truth in his story.
Means 'fragment' or 'piece'. Can be used for physical or abstract shreds.
Means 'a little' or 'a shred' when used with negative forms, e.g., 'わずかも～ない' (not even a shred).
To do something exceptionally well, especially in sports like surfing/skateboarding or playing a musical instrument.
There is no direct slang equivalent for 'shred' in this sense. Instead, use verbs like '乗りこなす' (to ride skillfully) for surfing/skateboarding, or '弾きこなす' (to play skillfully) for guitar.
He shredded on the guitar.
She's shredding the waves.
Literally 'give an overwhelming performance'. Can be used for music but is more descriptive than slangy.
The loanword 'シュレッド' is not commonly used as a verb in Japanese. Instead, use 'シュレッダーにかける' or '細断する' for document shredding.
When counting shreds, use '一片' (いっぺん) or 'かけら'. For example, '紙の一片' (a shred of paper).
Always shred paper containing personal information.
Not a shred of hope remains.
He doesn't have a shred of conscience.
He shredded on stage.