Translation guide
The English word 'grate' has two main meanings: to shred food into small pieces using a grater, and to make an unpleasant scraping sound. It can also refer to a metal framework or to irritate someone. This guide covers the most common uses for learners.
To rub food against a grater to break it into small pieces, like cheese or vegetables.
The most common verb for grating food. Used for things like daikon radish, ginger, or cheese.
大根をおろしてください。
Please grate the daikon radish.
チーズをおろしてパスタにかけた。
I grated cheese and put it on the pasta.
Emphasizes the grating action by rubbing. Often used for the same foods as おろす.
生姜をすりおろして紅茶に入れた。
I grated ginger and put it in my tea.
Means to shave or whittle. Can be used for grating very hard things like ice or dried bonito flakes, but not typical for cheese or vegetables.
鰹節を削る。
Shave dried bonito flakes.
To produce a harsh, unpleasant noise by rubbing against something.
Describes a creaking or grating sound, like a door hinge or metal rubbing.
ドアがきしむ音がした。
The door made a grating sound.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a high-pitched grating or squeaking noise.
チョークが黒板でギーギー音を立てた。
The chalk made a grating sound on the blackboard.
Means to rub or chafe. Can imply a grating sound when things scrape together.
To bother or get on someone's nerves persistently.
Means to irritate or make someone feel annoyed. A common translation for 'grate on someone'.
彼の態度が私をいら立たせる。
His attitude grates on me.
Literally 'touches a nerve', meaning to grate on someone's nerves.
その音が神経にさわる。
That sound grates on my nerves.
A frame of metal bars used as a cover or guard, like a drain cover or fireplace grate.
General word for a lattice or grating, such as a window grille or drain cover.
排水溝の格子が詰まっている。
The drain grate is clogged.
Specifically a fireplace grate or furnace grate.
The English word 'grate' sounds like 'great', but they are completely different. In Japanese, 'great' is すごい or 偉大な, not related to grating.
An unpleasant grating sound of metal rubbing.
I cleaned the fireplace grate.