Translation guide
This entry covers how to express 'small piece' in Japanese, focusing on common words for fragments, bits, and small parts of objects, food, or abstract things.
Referring to a small piece broken off from a larger object, like glass, stone, or wood.
A general word for a small fragment or splinter, often from something hard like glass, pottery, or stone.
ガラスのかけらが床に落ちていた。
Small pieces of glass were on the floor.
A more formal or technical term for fragments, especially from explosions, accidents, or broken objects.
爆発で建物の破片が飛び散った。
Fragments of the building scattered from the explosion.
A small bite-sized piece of food, like a piece of candy, bread, or fruit.
Used for a single small piece of something, often food like bread, fruit, or chocolate. Can sound slightly formal.
パンの一片をちぎって食べた。
I tore off a small piece of bread and ate it.
A leftover scrap or end piece, often of food like bread or cake. Implies it's a small, irregular piece.
A small chunk or piece, often used for solid foods like chocolate or cheese. Casual.
A small scrap or snippet of fabric, paper, or similar material.
Common for scraps of cloth or paper left over from cutting. Neutral.
布の切れ端で人形を作った。
I made a doll from small pieces of cloth.
A small piece or fragment, often used in written or formal contexts. Can refer to various materials.
A small bit of news, advice, or abstract concept.
Used metaphorically for a small amount of something abstract like truth, kindness, or information. Often in set phrases.
彼の話には一片の真実もない。
There isn't a shred of truth in his story.
Can be used figuratively for a tiny bit of emotion or memory, like 'a fragment of hope'.
かけら is everyday and often used for small, sharp fragments like glass or pottery. 破片 is more formal and used for debris from larger destruction, like in news reports.
窓ガラスのかけらで指を切った。
I cut my finger on a small piece of window glass.
事故現場には車の破片が散乱していた。
Fragments of the car were scattered at the accident scene.
The English word 'piece' is often translated as ピース, but this is mainly used for jigsaw puzzles or game pieces. For general small pieces, use the words above.
パズルのピースが足りない。
A puzzle piece is missing.
ケーキの切れ端をもらった。
I got a small leftover piece of cake.
チョコレートをひとかけら食べてもいい？
Can I eat a small piece of chocolate?
紙の小片にメモを書いた。
I wrote a note on a small piece of paper.
Not even a small piece of hope remains.