Translation guide
The English word 'slash' has several distinct meanings: a cutting action, the punctuation mark, a violent attack, a reduction in amount, and informal uses like urinating or as a conjunction. This guide covers the most common and useful meanings for learners.
Referring to the symbol '/' used in writing, computing, or between alternatives.
The standard loanword for the slash mark. Widely understood in computing and everyday contexts.
URLにはスラッシュが含まれています。
The URL contains a slash.
Literally 'diagonal line'. Used in formal or written contexts, such as forms or official documents.
日付は斜線で区切ってください。
Please separate the date with a slash.
Making a long, deep cut in something using a knife, sword, claw, etc.
To slash or tear open by cutting. Implies a violent or forceful cutting motion.
犯人はカーテンを切り裂いた。
The culprit slashed the curtain.
To slash at someone with a sword or blade. Often used in contexts of attack or combat.
A loanword used as a verb, mainly in sports or gaming contexts (e.g., 'slash' in ice hockey). Not common in everyday speech.
彼はスティックで相手をスラッシュした。
He slashed the opponent with his stick.
Cutting prices, budgets, numbers, etc., by a large amount.
To slash or drastically reduce. '大幅に' means 'substantially', and '削減する' means 'to cut/reduce'.
政府は予算を大幅に削減した。
The government slashed the budget.
To cut down or devalue, often used for prices, currency, or standards.
その店は全商品の価格を切り下げた。
The store slashed the prices of all items.
To cut drastically or decisively. 'ばっさり' is an onomatopoeic adverb implying a bold, sweeping cut.
人員をばっさり切る必要がある。
We need to slash staff numbers.
Violently cutting or wounding a person.
To slash at someone, implying an attack. Can be used for knife attacks.
男が通行人に切りつけた。
A man slashed a passerby.
To slash at someone with a sword, often in a sudden attack. More dramatic or literary.
Informal British/Australian slang for urinating.
There is no direct slang equivalent to 'slash' in Japanese. Use standard verbs like 'おしっこをする' (casual) or '排尿する' (formal/medical).
ちょっとおしっこに行ってくる。
I'm going for a slash. (UK slang)
Used in informal writing to join alternatives or related items, like 'and/or'.
In Japanese, the slash is sometimes used in informal writing (e.g., 'A/B'), but it's more natural to use the interpunct 「・」 or rephrase with 「または」 (or) / 「および」 (and).
コーヒー・紅茶が選べます。
You can choose coffee/tea.
彼は俳優／歌手として活躍している。
He works as an actor/slash singer.
While the slash mark is used in Japanese, overusing it in writing can look unnatural. In formal writing, always use proper conjunctions like 「または」 or 「および」.
参加者は学生または社会人に限ります。
Participants are limited to students/slash working adults.
侍が敵に斬りつけた。
The samurai slashed at the enemy.
武士が敵に斬りかかった。
The warrior slashed at the enemy.