Translation guide
The English word "slip" covers many different actions and situations. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
To accidentally lose balance and slide or fall, often on a slippery surface.
General verb for slipping or sliding. Can be used for slipping on ice, wet floors, etc.
The floor was wet and I slipped.
In winter, the roads freeze and it's easy to slip.
Means to fall down, often as a result of slipping. Use when the focus is on the fall itself.
I slipped and fell.
When something moves out of place or escapes from your hand because it's slippery or not held firmly.
To go somewhere quickly and quietly, often without being noticed.
A small error caused by inattention.
A gradual decrease in performance, quality, or condition.
To put on or remove an item of clothing easily and quickly.
To pass something to someone quietly or secretly.
To slip something to someone, often secretly.
He slipped me a note.
A woman's undergarment worn under a dress or skirt.
English 'slip' as a mistake is not directly translated as 滑る. Use うっかりミス or specific compounds like 言い間違い.
Sorry, it was a slip.
滑る focuses on the sliding action, while 転ぶ focuses on the resulting fall. Often used together: 滑って転ぶ (slip and fall).
The thread slipped out of the needle.
He slipped into the house at night.
My grades slipped.
I slipped off my shoes.
In the past, women often wore petticoats.