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
断ち切る
たちきる (tachikiru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cut" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 切ります and 断ち切る.
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, 断ち切る (たちきる (tachikiru)) maps to "to cut off, to sever, to break (ties/relations), to give up (a bad habit)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies a strong, decisive act of completely ending or severing something, often an undesirable connection, habit, or feeling.. 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 "断ち切る"
彼は悪い習慣を断ち切るために努力した。
He made an effort to break his bad habits.
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.". "断ち切る" represents "to cut off, to sever, to break (ties/relations), to give up (a bad habit)".