Translation guide
How to express 'skid' in Japanese, covering vehicle skidding, sliding on surfaces, and related figurative uses.
To describe a vehicle, bicycle, or tire losing traction and sliding, often sideways or out of control.
Most common for a sideways skid, especially for cars. Literally 'side-slide'.
車が凍った路面で横滑りした。
The car skidded on the icy road.
General term for slipping or skidding, often used for loss of traction. Loanword from English 'slip'.
雨の日はタイヤがスリップしやすい。
Tires tend to skid on rainy days.
General verb for 'to slide' or 'to slip'. Can be used for skidding but is broader.
バイクが砂利で滑って転んだ。
The motorcycle skidded on the gravel and fell over.
Direct loanword from English 'skid', used in technical or automotive contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
ABSはスキッドを防ぐ。
ABS prevents skidding.
To describe a person or object sliding uncontrollably on a surface, like skidding on a floor or ground.
The most natural verb for sliding or slipping on a surface. Covers both intentional and unintentional sliding.
床が濡れていて滑った。
The floor was wet and I skidded.
Also used for slipping on a surface, but more common for vehicles.
彼は階段でスリップして落ちた。
He skidded on the stairs and fell.
To refer to the mark left on a road or surface after skidding.
Standard term for skid marks, especially in traffic accidents. Literally 'slip mark'.
道路にスリップ痕が残っていた。
There were skid marks left on the road.
Tire marks, often used for skid marks. More general, can include non-skid tire marks.
事故現場には長いタイヤ痕があった。
There were long skid marks at the accident scene.
To express a metaphorical skid, such as a decline in performance, reputation, or situation.
Means 'to stall' or 'lose momentum', often used for economic or performance declines. Similar to 'skid' in a figurative sense.
景気が失速している。
The economy is skidding.
Means 'to fall' or 'slump', used for drops in numbers or mood. Can convey a skid in performance.
売上が急に落ち込んだ。
Sales suddenly skidded.
The direct loanword スキッド is rarely used outside technical automotive contexts. For everyday skidding, use 横滑りする or スリップする.