1.
fragment, piece, chip, shard
A small piece that has broken off from something larger. Used for physical fragments of glass, pottery, ice, and similar materials.
ガラスの欠片に気をつけて。
Be careful of the glass fragments.
氷の欠片がグラスの中で溶けていた。
Fragments of ice were melting in the glass.
割れた花瓶の欠片を一つひとつ拾い集めた。
I picked up the shards of the broken vase one by one.
2.
a bit, a trace, a shred
A tiny amount of an abstract quality. Almost always used in negative sentences to emphasize complete absence: 'not a shred of ~.'
反省の欠片もない。
There isn't a shred of remorse.
彼には良心の欠片もない。
He doesn't have a shred of conscience.
あの男の言葉には誠意の欠片も感じられなかった。
I couldn't detect a single trace of sincerity in that man's words.
KANJI READING:
The reading かけら is irregular (熟字訓). Also sometimes written in hiragana alone.
ETYMOLOGY:
Related to 欠ける (to chip, to break off). A かけら is the piece that has broken off.
USAGE:
In sense 2, almost always appears in the pattern 〜の欠片もない (not a shred/trace of ~). This is a strong negative expression emphasizing total absence. Common in criticism or complaints.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ガラスの欠片: glass fragment
- 氷の欠片: piece of ice
- 〜の欠片もない: not a shred of ~
- 欠片を拾う: to pick up fragments
Related Words
Related:
欠ける