Japanese word

削る

Pronunciation

Romajikezuru

Meaning

  • verbsharpen

Example

鉛筆を削ります。en pitsu o kezu ri ma su

I sharpen a pencil.

Illustration for 削る (sharpen)

More examples

新しい鉛筆を使う前に削ります。atara shi i en pitsu o tsuka u mae ni kezu ri ma su

I sharpen a new pencil before using it.

Core concept

It describes removing a thin layer from something to make its tip or surface more useful or precise.

Common phrases

  • 鉛筆を削るen pitsu o kezu ru

    sharpen a pencil

Similar words

研ぐtogu: To make a blade or pencil sharp by gradually wearing away its edge or tip.
尖らせるtogaraseru: To change an end into a sharp point.

Definition in Japanese

鉛筆などの先を刃物で削ってとがらせる。en pitsu na do no saki o ha mono de kezu tte to ga ra se ru

Word origin

削る (kezuru, "to scrape or cut away") is a native Japanese verb, not a compound or a loanword; its use for sharpening comes from removing material from a point or edge.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 削る (kezuru) can also mean cutting back a budget or schedule, because both uses involve removing part of something.

Other meanings

  • shaveverb

Related words

  • 削り方kezurikataway of sharpeningnoun

Word lists with this word