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Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "切ります", "切る", "きる", "切れる"

All represent the core concept "cut", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

切ります

きります (kirimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

切る

きる (kiru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

きる

きる (kiru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

切れる

きれる (kireru)
N3 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "cut" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "切ります", "切る", "きる", "切れる" based on context.
  • 切ります (きります (kirimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to cut, to sever" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for cutting with a sharp object, or for ending a phone call..
  • 切る (きる (kiru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to cut" and is used when ハサミやナイフなどで物を二つ以上に分けるときに使います。Polite form is 切ります.
  • きる (きる (kiru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to cut" and is used when Used for cutting various things.
  • 切れる (きれる (kireru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to cut well; to break; to run out; to expire; to be sharp" and is used when Refers to strings/connections breaking, knives cutting well, resources/stocks running out, or contract/warranty terms expiring. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 切る. Often used as 糸が切れる or 期限が切れる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To expire! "The warranty of my love for you has no expiration date, Haruka-san! It's permanent!" ...っ! N-No expiration date! B-Baka! That's too cheesy! But... since our love contract is permanent, make sure you never let the love battery run out! Understood?! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『きれる(切れる)よ!『ハルカ部長、僕たちの愛の接続(コネクション)は、どんな大地震や通信障害が起きても絶対に切れる(断線する)ことのない強固な絆です!』って…っ!絆が切れない!バカ!/// そんなロマンチックな通信回線を宣言するんじゃないの!…切れないように、毎日あんたの愛のハグで回線のメンテナンスを24時間怠るんじゃないわよ!』.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "切ります"
はさみで紙を切ります。
I cut the paper with scissors.
Context for "切る"
紙をハサミで切ります。
I cut the paper with scissors.
Context for "きる"
パンを切ってください。
Please cut the bread.
Context for "切れる"
プリンターのインクカートリッジの残量が完全に_______ため、彼は新しいインクを購入して交換作業を行いました。
Because the remaining amount of the printer's ink cartridge had completely run out, he purchased a new ink and performed the replacement work.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

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" is correct here because it represents "to cut, to sever" in the context: "I cut the paper with scissors.".

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