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
手を抜く
てをぬく (tewonuku)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cut" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 切ります and 手を抜く.
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, 手を抜く (てをぬく (tewonuku)) maps to "To cut corners" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. 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 "手を抜く"
毎日、日本語を練習するために手を抜く。
Every day, I cut corners to practice Japanese.
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.". "手を抜く" represents "To cut corners".