Translation guide
A sledge is a heavy sled or sleigh used for transporting goods or people over snow or ice. In Japanese, the most common word is そり, which covers sleds, sleighs, and sledges. For a heavy-duty cargo sledge, 大型そり or 荷そり can be used.
A vehicle on runners for traveling over snow or ice, often pulled by animals or people.
The most common and general word for any kind of sled, sleigh, or sledge. Can be used for both recreational and work sleds.
子供たちがそりで遊んでいる。
The children are playing on a sled.
A large, sturdy sledge used for hauling heavy loads, often in polar or logging contexts.
Literally 'large sled', used to specify a heavy-duty sledge.
探検隊は大型そりで装備を運んだ。
The expedition team carried their equipment on a large sledge.
The loanword スレッジ (sledge) is sometimes used in specific contexts like 'sledge hammer' (スレッジハンマー), but for the vehicle, そり is the natural choice. Using スレッジ for a sled would sound unnatural.
スレッジハンマーを使う。
Use a sledgehammer.
They transport goods by dog sled.
Kanji for そり, but rarely used. The kana form is standard.
橇は雪国の必需品です。
Sleds are a necessity in snowy regions.
Literally 'cargo sled', emphasizing its use for transporting goods.
荷そりに薪を積む。
They load firewood onto the cargo sledge.