Japanese word

剃る

Pronunciation

Romajisoru

Meaning

  • verbshave

Example

私は旅行の前にひげを剃ります。watashi wa ryo kō no mae ni hi ge o so ri ma su

I shave my beard before a trip.

Illustration for 剃る (shave)

More examples

電気かみそりを使うと、短時間でひげを剃れます。den ki ka mi so ri o tsuka u to tan ji kan de hi ge o so re ma su

With an electric shaver, I can shave my beard in a short time.

Core concept

Means cutting away hair from a surface so that little or none remains above the skin.

Common phrases

  • ひげを剃るhi ge o so ru

    shave one's beard

  • 脚を剃るashi o so ru

    shave one's legs

Similar words

剃り落とすsoriotosu: To remove hair completely from a surface with a blade.
刈るkaru: To cut hair or fur short with scissors or clippers, leaving some length.
剃り上げるsoriageru: To shave hair completely, especially from the head.

Definition in Japanese

ひげや髪などを刃物を使って肌に近いところから切り取る。hi ge ya kami na do o ha mono o tsuka tte hada ni chika i to ko ro ka ra ki ri to ru

Word origin

剃る (soru) belongs to native Japanese vocabulary rather than being a loanword; its precise historical formation is uncertain, while 剃 (tei, "shave") supplies its written meaning.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 剃る (soru) can describe shaving the head as well as facial hair, so the body part is understood from the surrounding context.

Related words

  • 剃り残しsorinokoshimissed spotnoun
  • 剃り方sorikataway of shavingnoun

Word lists with this word