Translation guide
The English word "slice" can be a noun (a thin piece cut from something) or a verb (to cut into slices). It also has specialized uses in sports and computing. This guide covers the most common meanings for English-speaking learners.
To refer to a thin, flat piece of food or other material that has been cut from a larger whole.
a slice of bread · a slice of cake · a slice of ham
General counter for one slice or piece of something, especially food. Can be used for bread, meat, cake, etc.
Please give me a slice of bread.
I ate a slice of cake.
Counter for thin, flat objects. Commonly used for slices of bread, ham, cheese, etc.
Please give me a slice of ham.
I toasted a slice of bread.
Loanword from English. Often used for pre-sliced foods or in cooking contexts. Can also be a verb.
I bought sliced cheese.
Please slice the bread.
Specifically a slice or fillet of fish or meat. Not used for bread or cake.
I grilled a slice of salmon.
To describe the action of cutting food or other materials into slices.
General verb for cutting. When used with thin objects, it implies slicing. Often combined with adverbs like 薄く (thinly).
Please slice the bread thinly.
Slice the meat.
Loanword verb. Common in cooking instructions.
Slice the cucumber.
Specifically means to cut into thin slices. Often used in recipes.
Please slice the onion thinly.
To refer to a portion or share of something abstract, like profits or a market.
To describe a type of shot in sports where the ball curves sideways.
Used in golf and tennis for a shot that curves to the right (for a right-handed player).
His slice curved sharply.
To describe the action of making a slice shot.
To hit a slice shot.
He hit a slice.
一切れ (ひときれ) is a general counter for a piece or slice of something, often food. 一枚 (いちまい) is a counter for thin, flat objects like slices of bread or ham. スライス is a loanword often used for pre-sliced items or in cooking. For bread, both 一切れ and 一枚 are common, but 一枚 emphasizes the flat shape, while 一切れ emphasizes the piece cut from a larger whole.
While スライスする is understood, it is often more natural to use 切る (きる) with an adverb like 薄く (うすく) for 'thinly'. For example, 'slice the bread' is more naturally パンを薄く切る than パンをスライスする in everyday speech.
Could I have another slice of pizza?
She sliced the apple with a knife.
彼は大きな取り分を要求した。
He demanded a large slice of the pie.
Increase market share.