切り離す
kirihanasu[kʲiɾʲiha̠na̠sɨ]
The English phrase 'cut off' is translated into Japanese as 切り離す (kirihanasu).
切り離す is used for physically detaching one object from another, such as a piece of fabric or a part of a machine.
Meaning: to end abruptly (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 切り離す refers to physical detachment, other terms exist for different contexts: 切断 is a formal way to express the idea of cutting off or disconnecting something, 突然終了 is a formal way to convey occurrences that come to an unexpected halt or are cut off abruptly and 中断 implies a temporary interruption or suspension of an activity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The passive form 切り離された is used to describe something that has been cut off or detached by an external force.
How do you pronounce it?
kirihanasu
Did you know?
- The word 切り離す is based on 切る, which is the same root used in the word 切符 for a 'ticket'. This is because tickets were historically 'cut' from a larger sheet to validate them.
- To 'cut off' someone's speech in Japanese is often described as 話を遮る, which uses a word meaning 'to block' or 'to obstruct' rather than a word for cutting.
- While 'cut off' in English can be used for a person being rude, using 切り離す for a person would imply physically amputating or detaching them from a group. For social disconnection, Japanese speakers prefer terms like 縁を切る, which literally means 'to cut a tie'.
Examples in context
- 社会との連絡を切断しないでください。Please do not cut off communication with society.
- 雨のために試合が中断されました。The match was interrupted due to rain.
- 電話が切れちゃった。The phone got cut off.
- 過去との関係を切り離す。Kako to no kankei o kirihanasu.To cut off ties with the past.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are discussing a difficult topic.
- 陽葵 Himariこの件についてもっと話したいんだけど。Kono ken ni tsuite motto hanashitai ndakedo.I want to talk more about this matter.
- 健太 Kentaごめん、今は話を切り離そう。Gomen, ima wa hanashi o kirihanasō.Sorry, let's cut off the conversation for now.
- 陽葵 Himariどうしてそんなに急に切り離すの？Dōshite sonna ni kyū ni kirihanasu no?Why are you cutting it off so suddenly?
- 健太 Kenta時間がなくなってきたからだよ。Jikan ga nakunatte kita kara da yo.Because we are running out of time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 切り離す, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
