Translation guide
The English word 'skate' can refer to the activity of moving on skates (ice, roller, inline) or to the fish (skate/ray). This guide focuses on the activity meaning, which is the most common for learners. The fish meaning is niche and included for completeness.
To move on ice using ice skates
Let's go ice skating. · I learned to skate when I was five.
The most common and general way to say 'to skate' (on ice). スケート is a loanword from English.
I skated on the lake in winter.
Explicitly 'ice skate'. Used when context doesn't make it clear or to distinguish from roller skating.
She is good at ice skating.
Means 'to glide' or 'to slide'. Can be used for skating in a descriptive sense, but スケートをする is much more common for the activity.
To move on wheels using roller skates or inline skates
The kids are roller skating in the driveway. · He bought new inline skates.
Standard for 'roller skate'. Covers both traditional quad skates and inline skates in many contexts.
I roller skated in the park.
Specifically 'inline skate'. Use when distinguishing from traditional roller skates.
I commute using inline skates.
From the brand Rollerblade. Sometimes used generically for inline skating, but インラインスケート is more neutral.
I enjoy rollerblading on weekends.
To ride a skateboard
He skates to school every day. · I want to learn how to skate.
Literally 'ride a skateboard'. The most natural way to express the activity.
He rides his skateboard every day.
Casual abbreviation of スケートボード. Very common in spoken Japanese.
Also used, but 乗る is more common for the action of riding. する can imply the broader activity or sport.
Skateboarding is fun.
Referring to the flat sea fish
Skate is a type of fish. · I ordered skate wing at the restaurant.
In Japanese, スケート alone almost always means ice skating. For skateboarding, use スケートボード or スケボー.
For ice/roller skating, use 〜をする. For skateboarding, 〜に乗る is more natural than 〜をする, though both are possible.
I went skating yesterday.
Assumes ice skating from context
Can you skate?
リンクの上を滑った。
I glided across the rink.
After school, we all went skateboarding.