Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cut" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cut", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
切ります
きります (kirimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
きる
きる (kiru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cut" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 切ります and きる.
In Japanese, 切ります (きります (kirimasu)) is typically associated with "to cut, to sever" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used for cutting with a sharp object, or for ending a phone call..
On the other hand, きる (きる (kiru)) maps to "to cut" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for cutting various things. A literal translation of "cut" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "切ります"
はさみで紙を切ります。
I cut the paper with scissors.
Bilingual Context for "きる"
パンを切ってください。
Please cut the bread.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "はさみで紙を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I cut the paper with scissors.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "切ります" fits here because it means "to cut, to sever" in the context of: "I cut the paper with scissors.". "きる" represents "to cut".