Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 消す | kesu | [ke̞sɨ] (narrow) |
| 切る | kiru | [kʲiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| オフする | ofu suru |
The phrase is used to describe switching off an appliance or a light.
Which one should you use?
Use 消す (kesu) when the action involves extinguishing a light, a flame or a source of energy. Use 切る (kiru) when the action involves cutting a connection, such as turning off a phone, a circuit or a power supply. The form オフする (ofu suru) is a more modern or casual way to say 'to turn off' in technical or digital contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal requests, you might see 電源を切ってください (Please turn off the power), 消灯してください (Please turn off the lights) or 終了してください (Please end/turn off a program or event). For informal requests, use 電源を切って (Turn off the power) or 消して (Turn off/extinguish). The katakana-based オフにする (ofu ni suru) is considered colloquial.
How do you pronounce it?
kesu
Did you know?
- The word 消す is used not only for lights but also for erasing pencil marks or deleting digital files. It literally means to make something vanish from sight.
- The verb 切る is also the standard way to say 'to cut' with a knife, meaning 'to turn off' a device literally shares a linguistic root with 'to sever' in Japanese.
- Using オフする is an example of 'Wasei-eigo', or English words adapted by Japanese speakers. It is often used in software menus where the English word 'off' is more intuitive than a traditional Japanese verb.
Examples in context
- 電気消すの忘れたかも。I think that I forgot to turn off the lights.This sentence is useful for expressing a possible forgotten action regarding the form 消す.Tatoeba #11029218 by small_snow, translation #8440529 by CK
- ガスを消すのを忘れたわ。I forgot to turn off the gas!Tatoeba #226397 by arnab, translation #63742 by CK
- 済んだら、電気消すのよ。When you're done, turn off the light.This sentence is useful for giving an instruction using the form 消す.Tatoeba #12303628 by small_snow, translation #9644421 by DJ_Saidez
- コンピュータをシャットダウンしてください。Turn off the computer
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are in the living room before going to bed.
- 蓮 Renテレビ、消す？Terebi, kesu?Are you going to turn off the TV?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、今消すね。Un, ima kesu ne.Yeah, I'll turn it off now.
- 蓮 Renじゃあ、電気も消して。Jaa, denki mo keshite.Then, turn off the lights too.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった、了解。Wakatta, ryoukai.Okay, understood.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turn off” translations and entries 消す, 切る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
