Translation guide
The English word 'sack' has several distinct meanings: a large bag, the act of firing someone from a job, and (in American football) tackling the quarterback. This guide covers the most common uses for learners.
A large bag made of coarse material, used for storing or carrying goods.
To be fired or dismissed from employment.
In American football, to tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
Loanword from English, used as a suru-verb in Japanese sports commentary.
ディフェンスがクォーターバックをサックした。
The defense sacked the quarterback.
Do not translate 'get the sack' literally as 袋をもらう. Use 首になる or 解雇される instead.
彼は首になった。
He got the sack.
General word for 'bag' or 'sack'. Can be used for various types of bags, including sacks.
じゃがいもを袋に入れてください。
Please put the potatoes in a sack.
Specifically a 'hemp sack' or 'burlap sack', often used for rice or grains.
米は麻袋に入れて保管されています。
The rice is stored in hemp sacks.
Literally 'large bag', can be used to emphasize the size of a sack.
大袋に土を詰めました。
I filled a large sack with soil.
Common colloquial phrase meaning 'to be fired' or 'to get the sack'. Literally 'to become neck'.
彼は遅刻が多くて首になった。
He got the sack for being late too often.
Transitive version: 'to fire someone'. Often written in katakana for emphasis.
上司は彼をクビにした。
The boss sacked him.
Formal term for 'dismissal' or 'discharge'. Used in official contexts.
彼は不正行為で解雇された。
He was sacked for misconduct.
Literary or formal term for 'dismissal', literally 'beheading'. Rarely used in everyday speech.
不況のため多くの社員が馘首された。
Many employees were sacked due to the recession.
Noun form meaning 'a sack' (the act of tackling the QB).
彼は今シーズン10サックを記録した。
He recorded 10 sacks this season.