Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 滑る (suberu). It means to slip. Like when you walk on ice and your feet go out! Oops! Or when you go down a slide at the park. You slide down! It is a verb, an action word. You can say, 'I slip.' In Japanese, it is 'Watashi wa suberu.' Be careful on the ice! It is slippery!
Let's learn 滑る (suberu). This verb means to slip or slide. Imagine walking on a wet floor; you might slip! Or think about playing in the snow and sliding down a hill. That's suberu. We use it when there is not much friction, so movement becomes smooth and uncontrolled. For example, 'The floor is slippery, so I slipped.' (床が滑るので、転んだ - Yuka ga suberu node, koronda). Be careful when you walk!
Today's word is 滑る (suberu), meaning to slip or slide. This verb is very common for describing the physical act of losing traction. You might say, 「アイスで滑らないように注意してください。」 (Aisu de subaranai yō ni chūi shite kudasai. - Please be careful not to slip on the ice.) It can also describe sliding down a slope or using playground equipment like a slide. Interestingly, it has a figurative meaning too; a joke or story can 'slip' if it's not well-received, becoming awkward. So, suberu covers both literal slips and metaphorical fumbles.
We're looking at 滑る (suberu), a verb with both literal and figurative applications. Literally, it means to slip or slide due to a lack of friction, as on ice or a polished surface. For instance, 「濡れた床で滑ってしまった。」 (Nureta yuka de subette shimatta. - I slipped on the wet floor.) However, suberu also extends to metaphorical contexts. A performance, joke, or speech can 'slip' (話が滑る - hanashi ga suberu) if it fails to impress or becomes awkward. This figurative use implies a loss of control or a negative reception, highlighting the word's adaptability in conveying subtle nuances of failure or mishap.
The Japanese verb 滑る (suberu) encompasses a spectrum of meanings related to smooth, often uncontrolled motion. Primarily, it denotes physical slipping or sliding, such as losing footing on an icy surface (氷で滑る - kōri de suberu) or sliding down a slope. Its utility extends metaphorically to situations where something fails to achieve its intended effect or encounters an unfavorable reception. For example, a comedian's act might 'slip' (ネタが滑る - neta ga suberu), indicating a lack of audience engagement or laughter. This figurative usage taps into the core concept of a loss of grip or traction, applying it to social or performance contexts. Understanding the context is crucial to distinguishing between the literal and figurative senses.
Delving into 滑る (suberu) reveals a rich semantic field extending from the purely physical to the abstract. The kanji 滑 itself, with its water radical and depiction of smoothness, hints at this duality. While the primary meaning relates to the loss of friction leading to unintended motion – slipping on ice (滑る), sliding down a hill – its application expands significantly. Figuratively, it describes the failure of communication or performance, such as a joke falling flat (ジョークが滑る) or a speech being poorly received. This metaphorical extension draws parallels between physical instability and social or communicative awkwardness. Furthermore, idiomatic expressions like 舌が滑る (shita ga suberu - to blurt out) showcase the verb's deep integration into nuanced expressions of human behavior, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of subtle social dynamics and potential pitfalls in communication.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- <strong>Meaning:</strong> To slip or slide, often unintentionally.
- <strong>Key Contexts:</strong> Slippery surfaces (ice, wet floors), sliding down slopes, failed jokes/speeches (figurative).
- <strong>Related Concepts:</strong> Lack of friction, loss of balance, smoothness.
- <strong>Common Forms:</strong> Past tense 滑った (subetta), adjective 滑りやすい (suberiyasui).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 滑る (suberu). At its core, it means to slip or slide. Think about those moments when you lose your footing on a slippery surface – that's suberu in action! It's a common verb that paints a vivid picture of movement, often with a hint of surprise or lack of control. We use it in everyday situations, from warning someone about an icy path to describing a fun experience on a slide.
The key idea behind suberu is the loss of friction. When there's nothing to grip onto, things start to move in a smooth, often uncontrolled way. This can happen on ice, wet floors, or even on smooth surfaces like polished wood. It can also be used more figuratively, like when a speech 'slips' or a joke 'falls flat', but we'll get to that later! For now, focus on the physical act of sliding. It's a word that captures that sudden, sometimes funny, sometimes alarming, sensation of losing your balance and gliding along.
The word 滑る (suberu) has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient Japanese. The kanji itself, 滑, is quite descriptive. The left side, 氵 (sanzui), indicates water, and the right side, 骨 (hone), originally depicted something slippery or smooth, like a bone. Together, they powerfully evoke the image of something moving easily, perhaps on a wet surface. This visual connection helps us understand the core meaning right away!
Over centuries, the usage of suberu evolved. In early Japanese literature, it was often used to describe the smooth, gliding motion of objects or even the flow of water. As society developed and people encountered more varied surfaces – from icy roads in winter to polished floors in homes – the verb became essential for describing these common experiences. It's fascinating how a single kanji and its associated verb can carry so much meaning and visual imagery, connecting us to the linguistic practices of our ancestors. The concept of slipperiness is universal, and suberu is Japan's elegant way of capturing it.
滑る (suberu) is a versatile verb you'll hear and use a lot! In its most common, literal sense, it's used for physical slipping. You might hear warnings like 「道が凍っていて滑るよ！」 (Michi ga kōte ite suberu yo! - The road is frozen and slippery!). It's also used for sliding down things, like 「坂を滑る」 (Saka o suberu - to slide down a slope) or the fun experience of 「ブランコで滑る」 (Buranko de suberu - to swing and glide).
Beyond the physical, suberu can be used metaphorically. For example, a joke that doesn't land well might be described as 「ジョークが滑った」 (Jōku ga subetta - the joke slipped/bombed). Similarly, a speech or performance that goes poorly can also 'slip'. The register can vary; while the physical act is neutral, the figurative use often carries a slightly negative or awkward connotation. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended!
While 滑る (suberu) is straightforward on its own, it appears in some interesting expressions:
- 腹が滑る (hara ga suberu): Literally 'stomach slips', this idiom means to feel a sudden sense of unease, dread, or a sinking feeling, often from fear or surprise. It’s that gut-wrenching sensation. Example: その知らせを聞いて、腹が滑った。(Sono shirase o kiite, hara ga subetta. - Hearing that news, my stomach dropped.)
- 舌が滑る (shita ga suberu): This means to let something slip out unintentionally, to blurt something out, often revealing a secret or saying something you shouldn't have. Example: お酒を飲んで、つい舌が滑ってしまった。(O sake o nonde, tsui shita ga subatte shimatta. - After drinking, I accidentally let something slip.)
- 話が滑る (hanashi ga suberu): This refers to a conversation or story that goes poorly, fails to engage the audience, or becomes awkward. It's similar to a joke bombing. Example: 彼の話はいつも面白くなくて、話が滑るんだ。(Kare no hanashi wa itsumo omoshirokunakute, hanashi ga suberunda. - His stories are never interesting, and the conversation always falls flat.)
- 油を滑らせたよう (abura o suberaseta yō): This simile describes someone or something moving with extreme smoothness and speed, almost without resistance, like oil sliding. It can imply cunning or evasiveness. Example: 彼はまるで油を滑らせたように、質問をかわした。(Kare wa marude abura o suberaseta yō ni, shitsumon o kawashita. - He dodged the questions as if sliding on oil.)
滑る (suberu) is a Group 1 verb (a godan verb) in Japanese, meaning its stem changes depending on the ending. This makes it follow regular conjugation patterns for verbs like this. For example, the past tense is 滑った (subetta), and the te-form is 滑って (subette). Remember that the pronunciation is straightforward: 'su-be-ru'. The stress is generally even across the syllables, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable 'su'.
In terms of pronunciation, a common pitfall for learners might be the 'tsu' sound in the past tense (subetta), which can sometimes be tricky. Practice saying 'su-bet-ta' clearly. Rhyming words are less common for verbs in Japanese due to the syllable structure, but words ending in '-eru' share a similar sound pattern. Think of verbs like 食べる (taberu - to eat) or 寝る (neru - to sleep), though their conjugation patterns differ. The IPA for 'suberu' is approximately /sɯbeɾɯ/, with the 'ɯ' sound being a vowel without lip rounding, somewhat like the 'oo' in 'book' but further back in the mouth.
Fun Fact
The kanji 滑 is composed of the water radical (氵) and a phonetic component that also suggests smoothness or slipperiness, visually reinforcing the meaning of 'to slip'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'soo-beh-roo', with the 'oo' sound like in 'book' and a light 'r' sound similar to the Spanish 'r'.
Similar to UK, 'soo-beh-roo', with a tapped 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'u' sound too strongly, like 'sue-beh-roo'.
- Making the 'r' sound too hard, like an English 'r'. It should be a quick tap.
- Incorrectly stressing syllables; the stress is relatively even.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in simple contexts, harder in figurative or idiomatic uses.
Straightforward for literal uses, requires context for figurative meanings.
Pronunciation is manageable, but using figurative meanings correctly takes practice.
Easy to understand literal meaning, requires attention for figurative uses.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation (Group 1)
滑る (suberu) -> 滑った (subetta) [past], 滑らない (subaranai) [negative]
Te-form Usage
滑って転ぶ (subette korobu) - slip and fall
～やすい / ～にくい Suffixes
滑りやすい (suberiyasui) - easy to slip
Examples by Level
I slip on ice.
I / slip / on / ice.
The verb 'slip' is 'suberu'.
The slide is fun.
The / slide / is / fun.
A 'slide' (playground equipment) can be related to the verb 'suberu'.
Be careful!
Be / careful!
This is a general warning phrase.
The floor is wet.
The / floor / is / wet.
'Wet' is 'mizumami' or 'nurete iru'.
I slide down.
I / slide / down.
The verb 'slide down' is 'suberu'.
It is slippery.
It / is / slippery.
'Slippery' is related to 'suberu'.
Oops!
Oops!
An exclamation of surprise.
I fall down.
I / fall / down.
Falling is often a result of slipping.
Be careful, the floor is slippery.
Careful / the / floor / is / slippery.
Use 'chūi shite' for 'be careful'.
I slipped on the ice yesterday.
I / slipped / on / the / ice / yesterday.
The past tense of 'suberu' is 'subetta'.
Children love to slide down hills.
Children / love / to / slide / down / hills.
'Slide down' is 'saka o suberu'.
The soap slipped from my hands.
The / soap / slipped / from / my / hands.
This shows a slippery object.
He slid across the floor.
He / slid / across / the / floor.
This describes smooth, sliding motion.
Don't slip on the wet stairs.
Don't / slip / on / the / wet / stairs.
'Don't...' uses the negative form of the verb.
The car's tires slid on the road.
The / car's / tires / slid / on / the / road.
This describes a vehicle losing traction.
It's easy to slip in the bath.
It's / easy / to / slip / in / the / bath.
Use 'yasui desu' for 'it's easy to...'
Be careful not to slip on the icy pavement.
Careful / not / to / slip / on / the / icy / pavement.
The pattern '~nai yō ni chūi shite kudasai' means 'please be careful not to...'
I slipped and fell down the stairs.
I / slipped / and / fell / down / the / stairs.
The te-form 'subette' connects the action of slipping to falling.
The comedian's jokes didn't land; they really slipped.
The / comedian's / jokes / didn't / land; / they / really / slipped.
This is a figurative use, meaning the jokes failed.
He slid the documents across the table.
He / slid / the / documents / across / the / table.
This implies a smooth, controlled sliding motion.
The boat slid smoothly into the water.
The / boat / slid / smoothly / into / the / water.
Describes effortless movement into water.
Watch out, the floor is still wet and might be slippery.
Watch / out, / the / floor / is / still / wet / and / might / be / slippery.
'Watch out' can be expressed as 'abunai yo!' or 'ki o tsukete!'
My foot slipped on a banana peel.
My / foot / slipped / on / a / banana / peel.
A common, almost cliché, example of slipping.
The children enjoyed sliding down the snowy hill.
The / children / enjoyed / sliding / down / the / snowy / hill.
Describes a recreational activity.
The politician's speech slipped when he made an insensitive remark.
The / politician's / speech / slipped / when / he / made / an / insensitive / remark.
Figurative use: the speech failed due to a mistake.
Due to the heavy rain, the car's tires began to slide uncontrollably.
Due / to / the / heavy / rain, / the / car's / tires / began / to / slide / uncontrollably.
Emphasizes loss of control ('an' control).
He has a tendency to slip up during important negotiations.
He / has / a / tendency / to / slip / up / during / important / negotiations.
'Slip up' (しくじる - shikujiru) means to make a mistake.
The ice skater executed a perfect spin, then slid gracefully across the rink.
The / ice / skater / executed / a / perfect / spin, / then / slid / gracefully / across / the / rink.
Describes smooth, controlled movement.
Her tongue slipped, and she revealed the surprise party plans.
Her / tongue / slipped, / and / she / revealed / the / surprise / party / plans.
Idiomatic use: 'shita ga suberu' - to blurt something out.
The old wooden slide at the playground creaked as the children slid down.
The / old / wooden / slide / at / the / playground / creaked / as / the / children / slid / down.
Describes the action of using a slide.
If you don't secure the load properly, it might slide off the truck.
If / you / don't / secure / the / load / properly, / it / might / slide / off / the / truck.
Concern about cargo shifting or falling.
His attempt at humor fell flat, the joke having clearly slipped.
His / attempt / at / humor / fell / flat, / the / joke / having / clearly / slipped.
Figurative use: the joke failed to get a reaction.
The company's stock price began to slide after the negative earnings report.
The / company's / stock / price / began / to / slide / after / the / negative / earnings / report.
Metaphorical slide: a decrease in value.
He tried to steer the conversation away, but his slip of the tongue betrayed his true feelings.
He / tried / to / steer / the / conversation / away, / but / his / slip / of / the / tongue / betrayed / his / true / feelings.
Refers to 'shita ga suberu' - an unintentional utterance.
The comedian's career seemed to slide downhill after his controversial remarks.
The / comedian's / career / seemed / to / slide / downhill / after / his / controversial / remarks.
Figurative slide: a decline in success or reputation.
The negotiator worried that any misstep might cause the delicate talks to slide into failure.
The / negotiator / worried / that / any / misstep / might / cause / the / delicate / talks / to / slide / into / failure.
Metaphorical slide: progression towards failure.
She navigated the crowded market with a practiced ease, her cart sliding effortlessly between stalls.
She / navigated / the / crowded / market / with / a / practiced / ease, / her / cart / sliding / effortlessly / between / stalls.
Describes smooth, efficient movement.
The initial enthusiasm for the project began to slide as funding issues emerged.
The / initial / enthusiasm / for / the / project / began / to / slide / as / funding / issues / emerged.
A decline in positive sentiment.
His attempt to appear nonchalant only made his nervousness more apparent; his composure had clearly slipped.
His / attempt / to / appear / nonchalant / only / made / his / nervousness / more / apparent; / his / composure / had / clearly / slipped.
Loss of self-control or composure.
The old gears ground and then slid into place with a satisfying click.
The / old / gears / ground / and / then / slid / into / place / with / a / satisfying / click.
Describes mechanical parts fitting together.
The orator's carefully constructed argument began to slide into incoherence when challenged on key points.
The / orator's / carefully / constructed / argument / began / to / slide / into / incoherence / when / challenged / on / key / points.
Describes a logical argument deteriorating.
He possessed a chameleon-like ability to adapt, his persona seeming to slide seamlessly from that of a scholar to a rogue.
He / possessed / a / chameleon-like / ability / to / adapt, / his / persona / seeming / to / slide / seamlessly / from / that / of / a / scholar / to / a / rogue.
Describes a fluid and effortless change in character.
The subtle shift in the market indicated that investor confidence was starting to slide.
The / subtle / shift / in / the / market / indicated / that / investor / confidence / was / starting / to / slide.
Implies a gradual, perhaps unnoticed, decline.
Her pronouncements, once authoritative, now seemed to slide into the realm of mere conjecture.
Her / pronouncements, / once / authoritative, / now / seemed / to / slide / into / the / realm / of / mere / conjecture.
Suggests a descent from certainty to speculation.
The narrative arc of the novel took an unexpected turn, causing the protagonist's moral compass to slide.
The / narrative / arc / of / the / novel / took / an / unexpected / turn, / causing / the / protagonist's / moral / compass / to / slide.
Implies a gradual erosion of ethical principles.
He lamented that his once-sharp wit seemed to slide into a duller, more predictable form.
He / lamented / that / his / once-sharp / wit / seemed / to / slide / into / a / duller, / more / predictable / form.
Describes a decline in intellectual acuity or creativity.
The diplomat skillfully deflected the probing questions, preventing any potentially damaging information from slipping out.
The / diplomat / skillfully / deflected / the / probing / questions, / preventing / any / potentially / damaging / information / from / slipping / out.
Refers to preventing secrets or sensitive information from being revealed.
The surface tension of the liquid was so low that the droplet seemed to slide rather than fall.
The / surface / tension / of / the / liquid / was / so / low / that / the / droplet / seemed / to / slide / rather / than / fall.
Describes physical behavior influenced by scientific properties.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"腹が滑る (hara ga suberu)"
To feel a sudden sinking feeling of dread or unease; to have one's stomach drop.
その恐ろしい知らせを聞いて、私の腹が滑った。(Sono osoroshii shirase o kiite, watashi no hara ga subetta. - Hearing that terrible news, my stomach dropped.)
neutral/literary"舌が滑る (shita ga suberu)"
To let something slip out unintentionally; to blurt out something one shouldn't have said.
酔った勢いで、つい舌が滑ってしまった。(Yotta ikioi de, tsui shita ga subette shimatta. - Under the influence of alcohol, I accidentally let something slip.)
neutral/casual"話が滑る (hanashi ga suberu)"
For a story, joke, or conversation to fall flat; to be unsuccessful or awkward.
彼のスピーチはユーモアがなく、話が滑っていた。(Kare no supīchi wa yūmoa ga naku, hanashi ga subete ita. - His speech lacked humor and fell flat.)
neutral/casual"油を滑らせたよう (abura o suberaseta yō)"
To move with extreme smoothness and speed, like oil sliding; often implies evasiveness or cunning.
彼は質問を油を滑らせたようにかわした。(Kare wa shitsumon o abura o suberaseta yō ni kawashita. - He dodged the questions as smoothly as if sliding on oil.)
neutral/literary"滑って転ぶ (subette korobu)"
To slip and fall down.
凍った道で滑って転んでしまった。(Kōtta michi de subette koronde shimatta. - I slipped on the frozen road and fell down.)
neutral"滑り止め (suberidome)"
Anti-slip (material or device); non-slip.
冬は滑り止めのついた靴を履く。(Fuyu wa suberidome no tsuita kutsu o haku. - In winter, wear shoes with anti-slip soles.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both relate to losing balance and potentially falling.
滑る (suberu) is the act of sliding due to slipperiness. 転ぶ (korobu) is the act of falling down.
床が滑って、私は転んだ。(Yuka ga subette, watashi wa koronda. - The floor was slippery, and I slipped and fell.)
Both describe instability and loss of balance.
よろける (yorokeru) means to stagger or wobble, often before falling, but doesn't necessarily involve sliding. 滑る (suberu) implies sliding motion.
彼は酔ってよろけながら歩いていたが、滑りはしなかった。(Kare wa yotte yoroke nagara aruite ita ga, subiri wa shinakatta. - He was walking unsteadily drunk, but he didn't slide.)
Both involve downward sliding.
ずり落ちる (zuri ochiru) specifically means to slide *down* from a position (like clothes sliding down), while 滑る (suberu) is more general sliding or slipping on a surface.
ベルトが緩んでズボンがずり落ちたが、道で滑ったわけではない。(Beruto ga yurunde zubon ga zuri ochita ga, michi de subetta wake de wa nai. - My pants slid down because the belt was loose, but it wasn't because I slipped on the road.)
Shares the same kanji root and relates to smoothness.
滑らか (nameraka) is an adjective meaning 'smooth' (texture, motion, speech). 滑る (suberu) is a verb meaning 'to slip' or 'to slide'.
この布は滑らかだ。(Kono nuno wa nameraka da. - This cloth is smooth.) vs. 氷の上で滑る。(Kōri no ue de suberu. - To slip on ice.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + で + 滑る
氷<strong>で滑る</strong>と危ないよ。(Kōri <strong>de suberu</strong> to abunai yo. - It's dangerous if you slip on ice.)
Noun + を + 滑る
子供たちが雪の坂<strong>を滑る</strong>。(Kodomotachi ga yuki no saka <strong>o suberu</strong>. - The children slide down the snowy hill.)
Verb (te-form) + 、 + Verb
足元が滑っ<strong>て、転んだ</strong>。(Ashimoto ga subet<strong>te, koronda</strong>. - My footing slipped, and I fell.)
Noun + が + 滑る
話<strong>が滑る</strong>と、場がしらける。(Hanashi <strong>ga suberu</strong> to, ba ga shirakeru. - If the story falls flat, the mood becomes awkward.)
～ないように + 滑る
凍った道<strong>で滑らないように</strong>歩いた。(Kōtta michi <strong>de subaranai yō ni</strong> aruita. - I walked so as not to slip on the frozen road.)
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
You slip *because* the surface is slippery, and you might then fall. 滑る describes the motion, 転ぶ describes the fall.
While a skater 'slides', the primary focus is on the skill and control, which isn't the core meaning of 滑る.
Don't interpret every instance of 'slipping' in English as 滑る; context is key.
The small 'tsu' changes the pronunciation and meaning significantly. It's a common feature of Group 1 verb conjugations.
滑る is about physical motion or a failed performance, not the abstract passage of time.
Tips
Connect to 'Slippery Slope'
Think of the English phrase 'slippery slope'. The Japanese verb 滑る (suberu) directly relates to this idea of easily sliding down into a worse situation, both literally and figuratively.
Listen for Warnings
Pay attention when people warn you about slippery conditions ('Atsui desu yo!' - It's slippery!). This is a prime context for hearing and practicing 滑る.
Winter Culture
In Japan, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are popular. The vocabulary related to sliding (滑る) is very relevant in these contexts.
Te-form Connection
Remember that the te-form (滑って - subette) is crucial for connecting the action of slipping to another action, like falling: 滑って転ぶ (subette korobu - slip and fall).
Master the 'tta'
Practice the past tense 滑った (subetta) clearly. The double 't' sound is important for correct pronunciation and understanding.
Don't Confuse Slip vs. Fall
Always distinguish between the action (slip/slide - 滑る) and the result (fall - 転ぶ). They are related but distinct actions.
Kanji Clues
Look at the kanji 滑. The water radical (氵) immediately tells you that water or wetness is often involved in slipping!
Act It Out!
When you learn 滑る, physically mimic slipping (safely!) or sliding. Kinesthetic learning helps solidify the meaning.
Playground Vocabulary
Think about playground equipment. A 'slide' is a 滑り台 (suberidai), directly using the verb's root!
Literal vs. Figurative
Always consider the context. Is someone talking about ice, or are they talking about a failed joke? The meaning changes dramatically!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone named 'Sue' who is very clumsy and always 'beru' (sounds like 'barely') stays upright because she constantly slips!
Visual Association
Picture a person's feet suddenly flying out from under them on a patch of ice, with a 'whoosh!' sound.
Word Web
Desafío
Try describing different scenarios where you or someone else might slip: on spilled juice, on a polished floor, or while skiing.
Origen de la palabra
Japanese
Original meaning: The kanji 滑 originally depicted something slippery or smooth, possibly related to bones or wet surfaces.
Contexto cultural
Generally no specific cultural sensitivity associated with the word itself, though falling can sometimes be embarrassing.
In English-speaking cultures, 'slipping' often carries a connotation of minor accidents or clumsiness. Figurative uses like 'slipping up' or 'slipping standards' are common. The image of slipping on a banana peel is a classic comedic trope.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Winter weather
- 氷で滑らないように注意してください。(Kōri de subaranai yō ni chūi shite kudasai.) - Please be careful not to slip on the ice.
- 雪道は滑りやすいです。(Yukimichi wa suberiyasui desu.) - Snowy roads are slippery.
- 傘でバランスを取らないと滑りますよ。(Kasa de baransu o toranai to narimasu yo.) - If you don't balance with your umbrella, you'll slip.
Home safety
- お風呂の床が滑るので気をつけて。(Ofuro no yuka ga suberu node ki o tsukete.) - Be careful, the bathroom floor is slippery.
- ジュースをこぼして床が滑る。(Jūsu o koboshite yuka ga suberu.) - I spilled juice, and the floor is slippery.
- 滑り止めのマットを敷きました。(Suberidome no matto o shikimashita.) - I laid down an anti-slip mat.
Social situations (failed jokes/talk)
- 彼のジョークはいつも話が滑る。(Kare no jōku wa itsumo hanashi ga suberu.) - His jokes always fall flat.
- 昨夜のパーティーでは、いくつか話が滑ってしまった。(Sakuya no pātī de wa, ikutsuka hanashi ga subette shimatta.) - At last night's party, a few things I said fell flat.
- 場の空気を読んで、話が滑らないようにした。(Ba no kūki o yonde, hanashi ga subaranai yō ni shita.) - I read the room's atmosphere and made sure my words wouldn't fall flat.
Sports and Recreation
- スキーで急斜面を滑る。(Sukī de kyūshamen o suberu.) - To ski down a steep slope.
- スケートリンクで滑る。(Sukēto rinku de suberu.) - To slide/skate on the ice rink.
- ウォータースライダーを滑る。(Wōtā suraidā o suberu.) - To slide down a water slide.
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had a really bad slip? Where was it?"
"What's the most common place to slip in your country during winter?"
"Do you like using slides at playgrounds? What's your favorite part about sliding?"
"Have you ever told a joke that totally 'slipped'? How did it feel?"
"What do you do to make sure you don't slip on icy roads?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you slipped or slid unexpectedly. What happened?
Think about a situation where a conversation or presentation 'slipped'. What could have been done differently?
Write about your favorite winter activity that involves sliding. What makes it fun?
Imagine you are designing a new anti-slip device. What would it be and how would it work?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntas滑る (suberu) is the action of slipping or sliding on a surface, often due to lack of friction. 転ぶ (korobu) is the result of falling down, which can happen *after* slipping, but also for other reasons like tripping.
Yes, if the door slides open or closed smoothly, you could describe its motion as 滑る or 滑らか (nameraka). However, the verb for the action of opening/closing a door is usually 開ける (akeru) or 閉める (shimeru).
When a joke or story 'slips' (話が滑る - hanashi ga suberu), it means it was not funny or successful. The audience didn't laugh, and it created an awkward atmosphere.
Yes, the related adjective 滑らか (nameraka) means 'smooth'. The concept of smoothness is key to understanding why things slip.
The adjective form is 滑りやすい (suberiyasui), meaning 'easy to slip on'. You can also use the noun 滑り (suberi) in phrases like 滑る床 (suberu yuka - a slippery floor).
Yes, you can say 車が滑る (kuruma ga suberu) or 車が滑走する (kuruma ga kassō suru) for a car skidding or sliding, especially on wet or icy roads.
The past tense is 滑った (subetta). Remember the small 'tsu' (っ) which changes the pronunciation.
Yes, slipping can lead to falls, which can cause injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones, especially on hard surfaces or from heights.
Ponte a prueba
Be careful! The floor is ____.
The word 'slippery' describes a surface that is easy to slip on, like a wet floor.
Which word means 'to slip on ice'?
滑る (suberu) specifically means to slip or slide, especially on a slippery surface like ice.
The phrase '話が滑る (hanashi ga suberu)' means a story was very successful and engaging.
Actually, '話が滑る' means a story or joke fell flat and was unsuccessful or awkward.
Word
Significado
Matching helps connect the different uses and related terms of 'suberu'.
The correct sentence is 'Be careful, the ice is slippery.'
After drinking too much, he accidentally ______ his secret.
The idiom '舌が滑る (shita ga suberu)' means to accidentally reveal something, similar to 'letting slip'.
What does it mean if a company's stock price 'slides'?
In a financial context, 'slide' indicates a decrease or decline in value.
The verb 滑る (suberu) can only be used for physical actions.
滑る has common figurative uses, such as a joke falling flat or a speech failing.
The comedian's performance ______ because the audience didn't laugh.
The figurative use of 'slipped' fits the context of a failed performance.
Use the idiom '腹が滑る (hara ga suberu)' in a sentence.
This idiom describes a feeling of sudden dread or unease.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
Mastering 滑る (suberu) unlocks understanding of both everyday accidents and nuanced figurative language about failure and smoothness.
- <strong>Meaning:</strong> To slip or slide, often unintentionally.
- <strong>Key Contexts:</strong> Slippery surfaces (ice, wet floors), sliding down slopes, failed jokes/speeches (figurative).
- <strong>Related Concepts:</strong> Lack of friction, loss of balance, smoothness.
- <strong>Common Forms:</strong> Past tense 滑った (subetta), adjective 滑りやすい (suberiyasui).
Connect to 'Slippery Slope'
Think of the English phrase 'slippery slope'. The Japanese verb 滑る (suberu) directly relates to this idea of easily sliding down into a worse situation, both literally and figuratively.
Listen for Warnings
Pay attention when people warn you about slippery conditions ('Atsui desu yo!' - It's slippery!). This is a prime context for hearing and practicing 滑る.
Winter Culture
In Japan, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are popular. The vocabulary related to sliding (滑る) is very relevant in these contexts.
Te-form Connection
Remember that the te-form (滑って - subette) is crucial for connecting the action of slipping to another action, like falling: 滑って転ぶ (subette korobu - slip and fall).
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Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Más palabras de nature
～上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
