Translation guide
The English word "slate" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the rock/material, a writing surface, a roofing tile, and the color. It also includes the phrase "a clean slate."
The metamorphic rock used for roofing, flooring, or writing surfaces.
The geological term for slate rock. Used in technical or formal contexts.
この地域は粘板岩が豊富です。
This region is rich in slate.
The loanword from English, commonly used for the material in construction or crafts.
屋根はスレートで葺かれています。
The roof is covered with slate.
A flat piece of slate used for writing with chalk, or a modern tablet-like device.
Literally 'stone board,' this refers to a traditional slate writing tablet. Also used for engraved stone tablets.
昔の生徒は石板にチョークで書きました。
Students in the past wrote on slates with chalk.
The loanword can also refer to a modern tablet-like device (e.g., 'slate PC').
A thin piece of slate used as a roofing material.
Specifically a roofing tile made of slate. Combines the loanword with the Japanese word for roof tile.
スレート瓦は耐久性が高い。
Slate tiles are highly durable.
By itself, can refer to a slate roofing tile in context.
スレートが一枚割れている。
One slate tile is cracked.
A dark bluish-gray color, like the rock.
The color name, literally 'slate color.'
彼女はスレート色のドレスを着ていた。
She wore a slate-colored dress.
Loanword 'slate gray,' used in fashion and design.
壁をスレートグレーに塗った。
I painted the wall slate gray.
A fresh start, free from past mistakes or obligations.
Literally 'return to blank paper,' meaning to wipe the slate clean and start over.
過去のことは白紙に戻して、やり直そう。
Let's wipe the slate clean and start over.
Means to cancel a debt or write off, used figuratively for clearing past issues.
彼の失敗は帳消しにして、新しいプロジェクトを始めた。
We wiped the slate clean of his mistakes and started a new project.
Loanword 'reset,' often used casually to mean starting fresh.
人間関係をリセットしたい。
I want a clean slate in my relationships.
The English idiom 'a clean slate' does not translate directly using the word for slate rock. Use phrases like 白紙に戻す or 帳消しにする instead.
新しい仕事で白紙に戻して頑張ります。
I'll start with a clean slate at my new job.
新しいスレート端末が発表された。
A new slate device was announced.