Japanese word

切れる

Pronunciation

Romajikireru

Meaning

  • verbbreak

Example

ひもが切れました。hi mo ga ki re ma shi ta

The string broke.

Illustration for 切れる (break)

More examples

紙袋の持ち手が、重さに耐えられず切れました。kami bukuro no mo chi te ga omo sa ni ta e ra re zu ki re ma shi ta

The paper bag's handle broke under the weight.

Core concept

Shows that something once joined is no longer continuous because a weak point gives way.

Common phrases

  • 通話が切れるtsū wa ga ki re ru

    the call gets disconnected

  • 電話が切れるden wa ga ki re ru

    the line gets cut off

  • ひもが切れるhi mo ga ki re ru

    the string breaks

Similar words

途切れるtogireru: To stop continuing because a flow, sound, signal, or connection is interrupted.
ちぎれるchigireru: To become separated when a flexible thing is torn apart by force.

Definition in Japanese

ひもや線などが、引っ張られたり傷ついたりして途中から分かれること。hi mo ya sen na do ga hi ppa ra re ta ri kizu tsu i ta ri shi te to chū ka ra wa ka re ru ko to

Word origin

切れる (kireru) is the intransitive form related to 切る (kiru, "cut"), so it describes the resulting separation rather than an action performed on an object.

Usage tips

  • A dropped call can also be described as 電話が切れる (denwa ga kireru), extending the idea of a connection coming to an end.

Other meanings

  • snapverb
  • be cut offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 切れやすいkireyasuieasy to breaki-adjective

Word lists with this word