Japanese word

思い切る

Pronunciation

Romajiomoikiru

Meaning

  • verbtake the plunge

Example

私は思い切って新しい仕事を始めます。watashi wa omo i ki tte atara shi i shi goto o haji me ma su

I will take the plunge and start a new job.

Illustration for 思い切る (take the plunge)

More examples

長く練習したので、発表会では思い切って歌いました。naga ku ren shū shi ta no de hap pyō kai de wa omo i ki tte uta i ma shi ta

After practicing for a long time, I took the plunge and sang at the recital.

Core concept

Expresses cutting through hesitation and committing to a decisive action, whether starting something new or letting something go.

Common phrases

  • 思い切って挑戦するomo i ki tte chō sen su ru

    take the plunge and try

  • 思い切って話しかけるomo i ki tte hana shi ka ke ru

    take the plunge and speak to someone

Similar words

決心するkesshinsuru: To make up one's mind to do something after considering it.
踏み切るfumikiru: To decide to take a specific action, often after hesitation.
決断するketsudansuru: To make a firm choice in an important matter.
腹をくくるharaokukuru: To prepare to face a difficult situation and accept its possible results.

Definition in Japanese

ためらいや未練を捨てて決断すること、または望みをあきらめること。ta me ra i ya mi ren o su te te ketsu dan su ru ko to ma ta wa nozo mi o a ki ra me ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 思い切る (omoikiru) combines 思い (omoi, "thoughts or feelings") and 切る (kiru, "cut"), extending the idea of cutting off hesitation to acting decisively.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 思い切って (omoikitte) often comes before another verb to show that someone acts despite hesitation, as in 思い切って始める (omoikitte hajimeru).

Other meanings

  • make up one's mindverb
  • give upverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word