Translation guide
The English word "slot" has several distinct meanings, from a narrow opening to a scheduled time. This guide covers the most common uses and their natural Japanese equivalents.
A thin, flat opening or groove into which something is inserted or fitted.
The most direct loanword, used for coin slots, card slots, and similar narrow openings in machines.
コインをスロットに入れてください。
Please insert a coin into the slot.
A more descriptive term meaning 'insertion opening', used for slots on devices or furniture.
SDカードの差し込み口はここです。
The SD card slot is here.
Refers to a groove or channel, often in woodworking or mechanical contexts. Not typically used for coin slots.
板に溝を掘る。
Cut a slot (groove) in the board.
A reserved or allocated time for an activity, appointment, or broadcast.
Literally 'time frame', the standard term for a time slot in schedules, TV programming, or appointments.
その番組はゴールデンタイムの時間枠で放送されます。
The program airs in a prime-time slot.
面接の時間枠を予約してください。
Please reserve a time slot for the interview.
Short for 時間枠, commonly used in compound words or casual contexts.
Also used for time slots, especially in IT or scheduling systems, but 時間枠 is more common in general contexts.
A specific place in a list, schedule, or hierarchy.
Used for a slot in a tournament, competition, or quota.
彼は代表チームの最後の枠を獲得した。
He secured the last slot on the national team.
Often used for a slot in a lineup or formation, especially in sports or business.
A casino gambling machine with spinning reels.
The full term for a slot machine. Often shortened to スロット in casual speech.
彼はスロットマシンで大当たりを出した。
He hit the jackpot on the slot machine.
Common abbreviation for slot machine, especially in pachinko parlors or casual conversation.
A Japanese hybrid of pachinko and slot machines, distinct from Western-style slots.
While スロット is versatile, it can sound unnatural for scheduled time slots in formal contexts. Use 時間枠 for appointments and schedules.
診察の時間枠は15分です。
The appointment slot is 15 minutes.
Is there an open slot tomorrow morning?
会議のスロットを確保する。
Secure a slot for the meeting.
彼はレギュラーポジションを確保した。
He secured a regular slot in the lineup.
休みの日はよくスロットを打ちに行く。
On my days off, I often go play the slots.
パチスロは日本独自のギャンブルです。
Pachislot is a uniquely Japanese form of gambling.