Translation guide
The English word "slug" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the slimy animal, a bullet, a drink of alcohol, and a typographical line of text. Each meaning has different Japanese equivalents.
Referring to the shell-less terrestrial mollusk.
The standard Japanese word for a slug. Used in everyday conversation.
There was a slug in the garden.
The kanji form of ナメクジ. Rarely used in modern writing; usually written in kana.
A slug is crawling.
Referring to a single projectile fired from a shotgun or similar weapon.
Referring to a quick drink of liquor, often taken in one gulp.
A general counter for drinks. Can mean 'a glass' or 'a shot'. Use with the name of the drink.
I had a slug of whiskey.
Loanword from English 'shot'. Commonly used in bars for a single measure of spirits.
An emphatic way to say 'a quick gulp'. ぐいっと is an onomatopoeia for gulping.
He took a slug of beer.
Referring to a line of text in printing or typesetting, especially in journalism.
Loanword used in printing and journalism for a line of type or a strip of metal used for spacing. Also used in modern contexts for a line of text in a layout.
Set the slug for the headline.
General word for 'line' of text. Not specific to typesetting, but can be used in context.
ナメクジ (slug) is often confused with カタツムリ (snail). A snail has a shell; a slug does not. Be careful not to mix them up.
A snail has a shell, but a slug does not.
散弾銃でスラッグを撃つ。
Shoot a slug with a shotgun.
I'll have a slug of tequila.
Use this line as a slug.