Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 切

Level:N4 Low
Strokes:4
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji primarily conveys the idea of "to cut," "to sever," or "to slice." It represents the action of dividing something into pieces or separating it. This core meaning extends to concepts like ending, finishing, or being sharp.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): セツ (setsu) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): き(る) (kiru - to cut, to sever), き(れる) (kireru - to be cut, to be severed)

Usage Examples

⚫︎大切(たいせつ) Translation: Important, precious ⚫︎切手(きって) Translation: Postage stamp ⚫︎親切(しんせつ) Translation: Kind, considerate

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a pictograph. It depicts a knife (represented by the top portion) cutting through something. The bottom portion suggests the object being cut. The shape indicates the action of cutting or severing.

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