切る
kiru[kʲiɾɯ̟]
In Japanese, the verb for 'to cut' is 切る (kiru).
切る is used to describe dividing physical objects with a sharp instrument, such as cutting paper or vegetables. It can also be used for abstract concepts, such as cutting a phone call or cutting a connection. For more specific actions, you might use 切り取る to mean 'cut out', 切り分ける to mean 'cut into pieces' or 切り裂く to describe tearing or ripping something with more intensity.
Meaning: to divide with a sharp instrument (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 切る is the general verb for cutting, the loanword カット is used specifically in the contexts of hair styling or film editing. For more precise or formal settings, 切断する is used to describe cutting or severing something into two distinct parts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 切る changes based on the tense and mood you wish to express. The past tense is 切った, the negative form (do not cut) is 切らない and the desiderative form (want to cut) is 切りたい.
How do you pronounce it?
kiru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse 切る (kiru, to cut) with the homophone 着る (kiru, to wear).
Did you know?
- The word 切る is used in the phrase 切れる to describe a person who has a short fuse and loses their temper easily.
- In a business or professional context, 切る is used to mean 'to dismiss' or 'to lay off' an employee. It treats the person's connection to the company as a cord to be severed.
- When a Japanese person says they are 切れている regarding a supply, it means they have completely run out of that item.
Examples in context
- 髪は月に一度切るよ。I have my hair cut once a month.This sentence uses 切る to describe the frequency of getting a haircut.Tatoeba #11994172 by small_snow, translation #11163374 by sundown
- 玉ねぎを切ると涙が出るのよね。My eyes water when I cut onions.This sentence uses 切る to describe the physical act of cutting onions.Tatoeba #12164699 by small_snow, translation #9946790 by ddnktr
- この紙を切るのにはさみが必要です。I need a pair of scissors to cut this paper.This sentence uses 切る to describe the necessity of scissors for cutting paper.Tatoeba #221726 by bunbuku, translation #59052 by CK
- 彼は紙を 切り ました。He cut the paper.
- 私は野菜を 切る ことができます。I can cut vegetables.
- 彼はロープを 切断しました 。He cut the rope.
- 彼は果物を 切った 。He cut the fruit.
- 彼は紙を 切り裂いた 。He tore the paper.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are preparing for a camping trip in the kitchen.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、この紐を切ってくれる？Misaki, kono himo o kitte kureru?Misaki, can you cut this string?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。ハサミを使うね。Ii yo. Hasami o tsukau ne.Sure. I'll use scissors.
- 健太 Kenta助かるよ、ありがとう。tasukaru yo, arigatou.That helps, thanks.
- 美咲 Misaki次は健太が肉を切る番だよ。Tsugi wa Kenta ga niku o kiru ban da yo.Next, it's Kenta's turn to cut the meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cut” translations and entries 切る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
