Translation guide
The English word "bit" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a small piece or amount, a short time, a tool part (drill bit), a computer unit, and a horse's mouthpiece. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
Expressing a small piece, fragment, or a small quantity of something.
a bit of sugar · bits of broken glass · I'm a bit tired
The most common and versatile word for 'a bit' meaning a small amount or degree. Can be used as a noun or adverb.
Casual and very common in spoken Japanese. Often used to soften requests or statements.
Means a fragment or broken-off piece of a physical object. More specific than 少し.
ガラスの欠片が落ちている。
There are bits of glass on the floor.
A formal or technical term for a small piece or fragment. Often used in written contexts.
小片に切ってください。
Please cut it into small bits.
Referring to a short period of time.
Used with time-related words to mean 'a short while'. Often combined with 時間 or 待つ.
少し待ってください。
Please wait a bit.
少し前に出かけました。
He left a bit ago.
Casual equivalent of 少し for time. Very common in daily conversation.
Means 'for a while' or 'for some time', often longer than 少し. Can be used for 'a bit' in the sense of 'a while'.
The cutting or driving part of a tool.
Katakana loanword from English 'bit'. Used for drill bits, screwdriver bits, etc. Widely understood.
ドリルのビットを交換する。
Change the drill bit.
Means 'blade' or 'cutting edge'. Can refer to the bit of a drill or plane, but is more general.
ドリルの刃が欠けた。
The drill bit chipped.
The smallest unit of data in computing.
Katakana loanword. Standard term in computing contexts.
このファイルは8ビットです。
This file is 8-bit.
The metal piece placed in a horse's mouth for control.
The standard Japanese word for a horse's bit. Also written as ハミ.
馬に馬銜を噛ませる。
Put the bit in the horse's mouth.
Katakana rendering of 馬銜, common in equestrian contexts.
ハミを交換する。
Change the bit.
The English 'a bit' meaning 'a little' is never translated as ビット. ビット is only for computing or tool bits. Use 少し or ちょっと instead.
少し疲れた。
I'm a bit tired.
Both mean 'a bit' or 'a little'. 少し is slightly more formal and can be used in writing. ちょっと is very casual and common in speech. ちょっと can also be used to refuse indirectly (ちょっと…).
少しお待ちください。
Please wait a bit. (polite)
ちょっと待って。
Wait a bit. (casual)
ちょっと待ってね。
Wait a bit, okay?
しばらくお待ちください。
Please wait a bit (a while).