Translation guide
Describes surfaces that are smooth, wet, or icy and cause slipping; also used figuratively for untrustworthy people or tricky situations.
Describing a surface that is smooth, wet, icy, or otherwise likely to cause slipping.
The most common and neutral way to say a surface is slippery. Literally 'easy to slip'.
This road is slippery because of the rain.
In winter, the road surface becomes slippery.
Verb meaning 'to slip' or 'to be slippery'. Often used in the form 滑る (noun) to describe a slippery thing.
The floor is slippery, so be careful.
Onomatopoeic word for a smooth, slippery surface, often with a nuance of being polished or icy.
The road is frozen and slippery.
Onomatopoeic word for a slimy, slippery surface, like wet soap or algae.
The bathroom floor is slippery (with slime).
Describing a person who is evasive, cunning, or cannot be trusted.
Means 'sly' or 'cunning', often used for someone who is slippery in a dishonest way.
He is a slippery politician.
Literally 'there is no place to grab', meaning the person is elusive, hard to pin down, or slippery.
He is a slippery person (hard to grasp).
Means 'cannot be underestimated' or 'slippery' in the sense of being dangerously cunning.
That man is slippery (can't let your guard down).
Describing a situation that is difficult to handle, risky, or delicate.
The English word 'slippery' is often used figuratively for people or situations. In Japanese, different words are used for physical slipperiness and figurative slipperiness. Do not use 滑りやすい for a person unless you mean they are physically prone to slipping.