Japanese word

刻む

Pronunciation

Romajikizamu

Meaning

  • verbchop

Example

玉ねぎを刻みます。tama ne gi o kiza mi ma su

I chop an onion.

Illustration for 刻む (chop)

More examples

料理に使う野菜を先に刻みます。ryō ri ni tsuka u ya sai o saki ni kiza mi ma su

I chop the vegetables for the dish first.

Core concept

The core action is reducing food to smaller pieces through repeated cuts, with the size and shape varying by context.

Common phrases

  • 材料を刻むzai ryō o kiza mu

    chop ingredients

  • 細かく刻むkoma ka ku kiza mu

    chop finely

  • 玉ねぎを刻むtama ne gi o kiza mu

    chop an onion

Similar words

切るkiru: To separate food into pieces by using a knife or another cutting tool.
切り刻むkirikizamu: To make many small pieces by cutting something again and again.

Definition in Japanese

食材などを包丁で細かく切る。shoku zai na do o hō chō de koma ka ku ki ru

Word origin

刻む (kizamu) is a native Japanese verb, and its stem 刻み (kizami, "fine chopping") is also used as a noun for food cut into small pieces.

Usage tips

  • The verb 刻む (kizamu) also describes carving words into wood or stone and marking a rhythm, linking food preparation with the idea of making repeated cuts.

Other meanings

  • minceverb
  • shredverb

Related words

  • 刻み方kizamikataway of choppingnoun

Word lists with this word