Translation guide
The English word 'sling' covers several distinct actions and objects. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings: throwing something forcefully, hanging or suspending something loosely, a medical arm support, and a weapon for throwing stones. For each meaning, natural Japanese expressions are provided, with notes on usage and register.
To throw something with a sweeping motion, often casually or with force.
General verb for 'throw'. Works for most contexts where 'sling' means to throw something.
彼はバッグをソファに投げた。
He slung his bag onto the sofa.
To fling or toss something carelessly. Emphasizes a casual, forceful throw.
彼女は上着を床に放り投げた。
She slung her jacket onto the floor.
To hurl or sling something with great force. Colloquial and emphatic.
彼は石を川にぶん投げた。
He slung a rock into the river.
To hang something over a shoulder, across the body, or from a point so that it hangs loosely.
To hang or drape something over a hook, shoulder, etc. Common for 'sling a bag over one's shoulder'.
彼はカバンを肩に掛けた。
He slung his bag over his shoulder.
To suspend or hang something from above. Used for hammocks, decorations, etc.
To dangle or hang something loosely. Often implies a casual, swinging motion.
A bandage or device used to support an injured arm.
A triangular bandage used as an arm sling. The standard medical term.
彼は骨折した腕を三角巾で吊っている。
He has his broken arm in a sling.
Loanword from English 'arm sling'. Used in medical contexts, often for manufactured slings.
医者は彼にアームスリングを着けるように言った。
The doctor told him to wear an arm sling.
A simple weapon consisting of a strap or loop used to hurl stones.
A sling as a weapon. Literally 'stone-throwing device'. Used in historical or fantasy contexts.
古代の兵士は投石器で石を飛ばした。
Ancient soldiers slung stones with slings.
Loanword from English 'sling'. Used in modern contexts like slingshots or tactical gear.
彼はスリングで小石を撃った。
He shot a pebble with a sling.
For hanging clothes on a hanger, use 掛ける (かける) or 吊るす (つるす), but not スリング. スリング is only for the weapon or medical device.
They slung a hammock between two trees.
彼は靴を手にぶら下げて歩いた。
He walked along with his shoes slung from his hand.