What is the Kanji for "Cut"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Cut", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Cut" is "切".

This kanji has 3 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Ki".

Its onyomi readings are "Sai" and "Setsu".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "刀" means "Sword" and can be read as "Chi", "Tou", and "Katana". And The kanji "七" means "Seven" and can be read as "Shichi", "Nana", and "Nano".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "切" mean in japanese?

"切" means "Cut".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

切る: "Cut". The verb '切る (きる)' means 'to cut'. It is used to describe the action of using a sharp object, such as a knife or scissors, to separate or divide something into parts. This verb can be used for a variety of objects, such as cutting paper, hair, food, etc. For example: I need to cut the cake - (ケーキを切る必要があります). Can you cut the bread? - (パンを切ってくれますか？)

大切: "Precious". The Japanese adjectival noun '大切 (たいせつ)' means 'precious'. This word expresses the idea that something is highly valued, important, or indispensable. It can be used to describe physical objects, people, relationships, or abstract concepts. For example: This item is precious to me - (この品物は私にとって大切です). Family is precious - (家族は大切です).

切手: "Stamp". The Japanese noun '切手 (きって)' refers to a postage stamp. This is a small piece of paper or material that is affixed to mail or packages to indicate that postage has been paid. Stamps are issued by postal services and come in a variety of designs. For example: I bought some new stamps at the post office - (郵便局で新しい切手を買った). My collection has many different types of stamps - (私のコレクションには様々な種類の切手がある).

売り切れる: "Sell out". The Japanese verb '売り切れる (うりきれる)' means 'to sell out'. This verb is used to indicate that all available items or products of a particular type have been purchased or taken, leaving no more in stock. It implies that the demand for the item has exceeded the available supply. For example: The tickets sold out quickly - (チケットがあっという間に売り切れた). The store's inventory of winter coats sold out by the end of the season - (店の冬物コートの在庫は季節末にはすべて売り切れた).

売り切れ: "Sold out". The Japanese noun '売り切れ (うりきれ)' means 'sold out'. This noun refers to a situation where all available stock or inventory of a product has been purchased and is no longer available for sale. It is commonly used in commercial settings to indicate that a particular item is currently unavailable. For example: The concert tickets are sold out - (コンサートのチケットが売り切れだ). They are sold out of the limited edition figurine - (限定版のフィギュアが売り切れになっている).

切符: "Ticket". The Japanese noun '切符 (きっぷ)' means 'ticket'. This word is used to refer to a piece of paper or document that provides proof of payment and grants the holder the right to use a service, such as public transportation or an event. For example: I bought a train ticket - (電車の切符を買いました). Please show your ticket - (切符を見せてください).

親切: "Kindness". The adjectival noun '親切 (しんせつ)' refers to 'kindness', a warm, caring, and helpful disposition towards others. It describes the quality of being considerate, thoughtful, and willing to assist. For example: She showed great kindness by helping the elderly man - (彼女はその老人を助けて大変親切でした). Her kindness was appreciated by everyone - (彼女の親切さは皆に感謝されました).

不親切: "Unkind". The adjectival noun '不親切 (ふしんせつ)' means 'unkind'. It describes a lack of consideration or thoughtfulness towards others. This word can be used to criticize someone's behavior as being inconsiderate or lacking in kindness. For example: She was very unkind to the new employee - (彼女は新入社員に非常に不親切でした). It's important to be kind, not unkind - (親切でなく不親切であるのは重要ではありません).

踏切: "Crossing". The Japanese noun '踏切 (ふみきり)' refers to a level crossing or a railroad crossing, where a road intersects with a railway line. It is a place where pedestrians and vehicles need to be cautious and stop to check for oncoming trains before proceeding. For example: I need to wait at the crossing for the train to pass - (踏切で電車が通るのを待たなければなりません).

切っ掛け: "Trigger". The noun '切っ掛け (きっかけ)' means 'trigger'. It refers to something that serves as the stimulus or cause for an action or event to happen. It can describe an event, remark, or situation that prompts someone to take action or makes something occur. For example: The news was the trigger for the protests - (そのニュースが抗議活動のきっかけになった). The conversation with my friend was the trigger for me to change my mind - (友人との会話がそうするきっかけになった).

切れる: "Cut" or "Break". The Japanese verb '切れる (きれる)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'to cut', referring to the action of separating or dividing something into pieces using a sharp object like a knife or scissors. For example: The thread cut - (糸が切れた). The second meaning is 'to break', describing when an object or material becomes separated or damaged, often suddenly or unexpectedly. For example: The rope broke - (ロープが切れた). This verb is commonly used to express when something is severed or divided, whether physically or metaphorically.

一切: "Not at all". The adverb '一切 (いっさい)' means 'not at all'. It is used to strongly emphasize the negation of something, indicating that there is absolutely no amount or degree of the action or state. For example: I don't want that at all - (私はそれを一切欲しくない). They didn't say anything at all - (彼らは一切何も言わなかった).

区切る: "Divide". The Japanese verb '区切る (くぎる)' means 'to divide' or 'to separate'. This verb is used to describe the action of partitioning or splitting something into distinct parts or sections. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts. For example: Divide the cake into slices - (ケーキを区切って切る). We need to divide the project into smaller tasks - (プロジェクトを小さな作業に区切る必要がある).

思い切って: "Resolutely" or "Boldly". The adverb '思い切って (おもいきって)' means 'resolutely' or 'boldly'. It expresses the idea of doing something with determination and without hesitation. This adverb emphasizes taking decisive action or making a bold move, often in the face of uncertainty or fear. For example: I resolutely asked her out - (私は思い切って彼女に告白した). She boldly jumped into the pool - (彼女は思い切って池に飛び込んだ).

品切れ: "Sold out". The noun '品切れ (しなぎれ)' means 'sold out'. This refers to a situation where a particular product or item is no longer available for purchase because all available units have been sold. This indicates a lack of inventory and is typically seen as an inconvenience for customers. For example: The tickets for the concert are sold out - (そのコンサートのチケットは品切れです).

思い切り: "Fully". The adverb '思い切り (おもいきり)' means 'fully' or 'completely'. It is used to emphasize the degree or intensity of an action or state. For example: I ran fully - (思い切り走った). She laughed fully - (思い切り笑った). It conveys the idea of doing something without holding back or restraint.

切れ: "Slice". The noun '切れ (きれ)' refers to a slice or piece that has been cut from a larger whole. It can be used to describe a slice of bread, a piece of paper, or any other object that has been divided. For example: I cut the apple into slices - (りんごを切れに切った). Can you pass me a slice of cake? - (ケーキの切れをちょうだいできますか?)

締め切り: "Deadline". The Japanese noun '締め切り (しめきり)' refers to a specific deadline or due date. It is used to indicate the final time or date by which something must be completed or submitted. For example: The assignment is due by the deadline - (課題は締め切りまでに提出しなければなりません). I need to finish the report before the deadline - (私はレポートを締め切りまでに完成させる必要があります).

締め切る: "Close". The Japanese verb '締め切る (しめきる)' means 'to close'. This verb is used to indicate the act of sealing, fastening, or shutting something, such as a door, window, or container. It can also be used figuratively to refer to the closing of an event, application, or other deadline. For example: The store will close at 9pm - (店は 9時に締め切ります). I need to close this envelope - (この封筒を締め切らなければなりません).

思い切る: "To dare". The Japanese verb '思い切る (おもいきる)' means 'to dare'. This verb expresses the idea of mustering up the courage or resolve to take a bold action, despite any fears or hesitations. It conveys a sense of decisiveness and determination in the face of uncertainty or risk. For example: I dared to ask her out - (私は彼女に告白するのを思い切った). She dared to try the new roller coaster - (彼女は新しいジェットコースターに乗るのを思い切った).

切り: "Cut" or "Off". The suffix '切り (きり)' means 'cut' or 'off'. It is used to indicate that something has been cut or separated from a larger whole. For example: Paper-cut - (紙切り). The piece fell off - (切り落ちた).

裏切る: "Betray". The Japanese verb '裏切る (うらぎる)' means 'to betray'. It is used to describe the act of being disloyal or unfaithful to someone, often by revealing secrets or going against their trust. The verb can be used in various contexts, such as personal relationships, political betrayals, or breaking a promise. For example: She betrayed me by telling my secret - (彼女は私の秘密を明かすことで私を裏切った). He betrayed his country by providing information to the enemy - (彼は敵に情報を提供することで祖国を裏切った).

値切る: "Bargain". The verb '値切る (ねぎる)' means 'to bargain'. It refers to the act of negotiating the price of something in order to get a better deal. This verb is commonly used when shopping or purchasing goods, where the buyer tries to persuade the seller to lower the asking price. For example: I bargained with the vendor and got a lower price - (値切ってもらって安い価格で買えた). Let's bargain with the shop owner - (店主と値切ろう).

切り替える: "Switch". The Japanese verb '切り替える (きりかえる)' means 'to switch'. It is used to describe the action of changing from one state, setting, or mode to another. This verb can be used in a variety of contexts, such as changing gears in a car, switching between computer programs, or transitioning between different tasks. For example: She switched gears when driving up the hill - (坂を登るときに彼女は切り替えた). I need to switch to a different tab on my computer - (コンピューターの違うタブに切り替える必要がある).

適切: "Appropriate". The Japanese adjective '適切 (てきせつ)' means 'appropriate'. This adjective is used to describe something that is suitable, fitting, or adequate for a particular situation or purpose. It can be used to describe actions, decisions, responses, and other things. For example: That solution is appropriate - (その解決策は適切である). The teacher gave an appropriate lesson - (先生は適切な授業を行った).

横切る: "Cross". The Japanese verb '横切る (よこぎる)' means 'to cross'. It is used to describe the action of moving across or from one side to the other of something. This verb can be used for both physical objects, such as crossing a street, as well as abstract concepts, like crossing a border. For example: I crossed the road - (道を横切った). The plane crossed the ocean - (飛行機が大西洋を横切った).

張り切る: "Eager" or "Enthusiastic". The Japanese verb '張り切る (はりきる)' means to be eager or enthusiastic. It expresses a strong willingness and motivation to undertake a task or activity. This verb can be used to describe someone who is working hard, is highly motivated, or is putting in maximum effort. For example: She is eager to start the new project - (彼女は新しいプロジェクトに張り切っている). I am really enthusiastic about this class - (私はこの授業に本当に張り切っています).

爪切り: "Nail clipper". 爪切り (つめきり)' refers to a nail clipper or nail cutter, a tool used to trim and cut human fingernails or toenails. Nail clippers come in various sizes and designs, and are an essential grooming item for personal hygiene. For example: I need to use the nail clipper to trim my nails - (爪を切るためにつめきりを使う必要がある).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "き" is read as "ki". The hiragana "さ" is read as "sa". The hiragana "い" is read as "i". The hiragana "せ" is read as "se". And The hiragana "つ" is read as "tsu".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.