How to say "slide" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • ずれるJLPT N2approx.Common
    ichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers the sense of something sliding out of its proper place — slipping off, becoming dislocated, or falling out of alignment. It describes unintended displacement rather than deliberate movement.
    ピントがズレている。↗
    That's a little out of focus.
  • スライドJLPT N2approx.Common
    nounThis is the noun for a projected slide or transparency, not a verb for sliding movement. If you mean the action of sliding, this is not the word you want.
  • すべるJLPT N4approx.Common
    godan verb, intransitive verbThe main verb for sliding or gliding smoothly over a surface, as in skating or skiing; it also covers slipping along a slick surface. Choose this for physical sliding movement.
    子供こどもたちは氷こおりの上うえを滑すべっていた。↗
    The children were sliding on the ice.
  • ずらすJLPT N2approx.Common
    godan verb, transitive verbTransitive counterpart of ずれる: to slide or shift something slightly out of position, moving it a little to one side. Use it when someone repositions an object.
    ちょっと椅子いすをずらしてくれない?↗
    Could you move the chair a bit?
  • noun, suru verbCovers slipping or skidding — sliding because of lost grip, such as a car skidding. For this traction-losing sense of slide it fits; for smooth, controlled gliding use すべる.
    雪道せつどうで急きゅうハンドルを切きっちゃだめだよ。スリップしちゃうから。↗
    If you whip the steering wheel around like that on a snowy road, the car is going to go into a slide.

Use 「すべる」 for smooth sliding or gliding over a surface, 「ずれる」 and 「ずらす」 for things shifting out of position (intransitive and transitive), 「スリップ」 for slipping or skidding, and 「スライド」 only for projected slides.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents
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JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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