Translation guide
A small, sharp piece of material (usually wood, glass, or metal) that breaks off and can get stuck in skin. This guide covers how to talk about splinters in Japanese, including the object itself, getting one, and removing it.
Referring to the small sharp fragment itself, especially one stuck in skin.
The most common and general word for a splinter, especially a wooden one stuck in skin. Also means thorn or spine.
指にとげが刺さった。
I got a splinter in my finger.
A fragment or splinter of glass, metal, or other hard material. More general than とげ and not limited to skin.
ガラスの破片が床に落ちている。
There are glass splinters on the floor.
A small piece of wood, like a wood chip or splinter. Often used for woodworking debris.
木っ端が飛び散った。
Wood splinters flew everywhere.
Describing the action of a splinter entering the skin.
The standard way to say 'get a splinter'. Literally 'a splinter sticks in'. Use with body part + に.
足の裏にとげが刺さった。
I got a splinter in the sole of my foot.
Used when the splinter is of glass, metal, etc. Same structure as とげが刺さる.
ガラスの破片が手に刺さった。
A glass splinter got stuck in my hand.
Talking about taking a splinter out of skin.
The most common way to say 'remove a splinter'. 抜く means to pull out or extract.
ピンセットでとげを抜いた。
I removed the splinter with tweezers.
Also means to remove a splinter, slightly more casual. 取る means to take out/off.
とげを取ってもらえますか？
Can you remove this splinter for me?
Referring to a small group that has broken away from a larger organization.
A splinter group or faction, especially in politics or religion.
その政党から分派が生まれた。
A splinter group emerged from that political party.
A group that has broken away; literally 'secession group'. Often used in news.
離脱組が新しい会派を作った。
The splinter faction formed a new parliamentary group.
とげ is usually written in kana. The kanji 棘 is also read とげ and means thorn or splinter, but in everyday writing kana is preferred. 棘 can also be read いばら (thorny shrub).
とげ is specifically for organic splinters (wood, plant thorns) stuck in skin. 破片 is for fragments of hard materials like glass, metal, or plastic, and can be anywhere, not just in skin.