Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "To cut" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "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 "to 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 "to 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".