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'.
彼は紙を細かく裂いた。
He tore the paper into shreds.
Emphasizes tearing into many ragged pieces; 'ずたずた' is an onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'to shreds'.
犬がクッションをずたずたに裂いた。
The dog shredded the cushion.
To tear into small pieces, often by hand. Commonly used for tearing paper or fabric.
彼女は手紙を千切った。
She shredded the letter.
Formal/technical term for cutting into fine pieces, often used for document shredding or industrial processes.
機密文書を細断する。
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.
この書類はシュレッダーにかけてください。
Please shred these documents.
Formal verb for shredding, often used in office contexts.
個人情報が書かれた紙は必ず細断してください。
Always shred paper containing personal information.
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).
彼の話には一片の真実もない。
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.
彼はギターを弾きこなした。
He shredded on the guitar.
彼女は波を乗りこなしている。
She's shredding the waves.
Literally 'give an overwhelming performance'. Can be used for music but is more descriptive than slangy.
彼はステージで圧倒的な演奏をした。
He shredded on stage.
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).
Not a shred of hope remains.
He doesn't have a shred of conscience.