Japanese word

切れ

Pronunciation

Romajikire

Meaning

  • nounpiece

Example

ケーキを一切れ食べます。kē ki o ichi ki re ta be ma su

I eat a piece of cake.

Illustration for 切れ (piece)

More examples

サンドイッチにトマトを一切れ入れます。sa n do i tchi ni to ma to o ichi ki re i re ma su

I add one slice of tomato to the sandwich.

Core concept

Means a distinct portion taken from a larger whole, with its shape understood as a piece, slice, or strip.

Common phrases

  • 二切れのりんごni ki re no ri n go

    two pieces of apple

  • 一切れずつichi ki re zu tsu

    one piece at a time

Similar words

片kata: A portion that is detached from a larger object or substance.
一片ichihen: One small, flat piece separated from something larger.

Definition in Japanese

切り取られて全体から分かれた物や、その一部分。ki ri to ra re te zen tai ka ra wa ka re ta mono ya so no ichi bu bun

Word origin

The native noun 切れ (kire, "piece") derives from 切る (kiru, "to cut") and refers to a part cut away from something larger.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 一切れ (hitokire) commonly counts one piece or slice of food, such as cake or bread.

Other meanings

  • slicenoun
  • stripnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word