切る
kiru[kʲiɾɯ̟]
To chop in Japanese is 切る (kiru).
切る is used to mean cutting or chopping something into pieces.
Meaning: to cut into pieces (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
切る is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object to be acted upon.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is kiru.
When do people say it?
The technique known as 'katsuramuki' involves peeling a vegetable in one continuous, thin sheet by rotating it while applying steady pressure on a knife.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, 切る is used to describe the act of running out of something, such as money or patience, by adding the particle を.
- In the context of traditional Japanese arts, 切る is used to describe the precise way a poet 'cuts' or pivots the imagery in a haiku.
- The verb 切る is used to describe ending a phone call or disconnecting a power supply, acting as a metaphor for 'cutting' the connection.
Examples in context
- 塩漬けキャベツを細かく切る。Chop the pickled cabbage finely.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 切る when describing chopping pickled cabbage finely.Tatoeba #638321 by blay_paul, translation #638323 by blay_paul
- 野菜を細かく切る。yasai o komakaku kiru.Chop the vegetables finely.
- 肉を一口の大きさに切る。niku o hitokuchi no ookisa ni kiru.Chop the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are preparing dinner together.
- 結衣 Yui健太、人参を切ってくれる？Kenta, ninjin o kitte kureru?Kenta, can you chop the carrots?
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。どうやって切る？Ii yo. Dou yatte kiru?Sure. How should I chop them?
- 結衣 Yui小さめの角切りに切ってね。Chiisame no kadugiri ni kitte ne.Please chop them into small cubes.
- 健太 Kentaわかった。任せて。Wakatta. Makasete.Got it. Leave it to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 切る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
