Translation guide
The English word "slice" can be a noun (a thin piece cut from something) or a verb (to cut into slices). It also has specialized uses in sports and computing. This guide covers the most common meanings for English-speaking learners.
To refer to a thin, flat piece of food or other material that has been cut from a larger whole.
a slice of bread · a slice of cake · a slice of ham
General counter for one slice or piece of something, especially food. Can be used for bread, meat, cake, etc.
パンを一切れください。
Please give me a slice of bread.
ケーキを一切れ食べた。
I ate a slice of cake.
Counter for thin, flat objects. Commonly used for slices of bread, ham, cheese, etc.
ハムを一枚ください。
Please give me a slice of ham.
トーストを一枚焼いた。
I toasted a slice of bread.
Loanword from English. Often used for pre-sliced foods or in cooking contexts. Can also be a verb.
スライスチーズを買った。
I bought sliced cheese.
パンをスライスしてください。
Please slice the bread.
Specifically a slice or fillet of fish or meat. Not used for bread or cake.
鮭の切り身を焼いた。
I grilled a slice of salmon.
To describe the action of cutting food or other materials into slices.
General verb for cutting. When used with thin objects, it implies slicing. Often combined with adverbs like 薄く (thinly).
パンを薄く切ってください。
Please slice the bread thinly.
肉を切る。
Slice the meat.
Loanword verb. Common in cooking instructions.
きゅうりをスライスする。
Slice the cucumber.
Specifically means to cut into thin slices. Often used in recipes.
玉ねぎを薄切りにしてください。
Please slice the onion thinly.
To refer to a portion or share of something abstract, like profits or a market.
One's share or portion of something, often profits or food.
利益の分け前をもらう。
Get a slice of the profits.
One's share or cut, often in a business context.
Market share. Loanword from English.
市場のシェアを拡大する。
Increase market share.
To describe a type of shot in sports where the ball curves sideways.
Used in golf and tennis for a shot that curves to the right (for a right-handed player).
彼のスライスは大きく曲がった。
His slice curved sharply.
To describe the action of making a slice shot.
To hit a slice shot.
彼はスライスを打った。
He hit a slice.
一切れ (ひときれ) is a general counter for a piece or slice of something, often food. 一枚 (いちまい) is a counter for thin, flat objects like slices of bread or ham. スライス is a loanword often used for pre-sliced items or in cooking. For bread, both 一切れ and 一枚 are common, but 一枚 emphasizes the flat shape, while 一切れ emphasizes the piece cut from a larger whole.
While スライスする is understood, it is often more natural to use 切る (きる) with an adverb like 薄く (うすく) for 'thinly'. For example, 'slice the bread' is more naturally パンを薄く切る than パンをスライスする in everyday speech.
ピザをもう一切れいただけますか？
Could I have another slice of pizza?
彼女はナイフでりんごを薄く切った。
She sliced the apple with a knife.
彼は大きな取り分を要求した。
He demanded a large slice of the pie.