Japanese Conversation · Level 103
60 words
Japanese word
折れる
Pronunciation
Romajioreru
Meaning
- verbbreak
Example
強い風で枝が折れます。tsuyo i kaze de eda ga o re ma su
The branch breaks in the strong wind.
More examples
プラスチックの定規は、強く曲げると折れます。pu ra su chi kku no jō gi wa tsuyo ku ma ge ru to o re ma su
A plastic ruler breaks when you bend it too far.
Core concept
Describes a straight or firm state giving way under pressure, either physically as a break or figuratively as surrender.
Common phrases
簡単に折れるkan tan ni o re ru
break easily
Similar words
曲がるmagaru: To change from a straight form to a bent form without breaking.
砕けるkudakeru: To shatter or crumble into separate pieces.
譲るyuzuru: To stop insisting on one's own view and accept another's view.
Definition in Japanese
力が加わって物が曲がったり、二つに分かれたりすること。また、気持ちや意志がくじけて屈すること。chikara ga kuwa wa tte mono ga ma ga tta ri futa tsu ni wa ka re ta ri su ru ko to ma ta ki mo chi ya i shi ga ku ji ke te kus su ru ko to
Word origin
折れる (oreru) is a native Japanese intransitive verb paired with 折る (oru), meaning "to bend or break something"; the intransitive form focuses on what undergoes the change.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 折れる (oreru) can describe yielding in a disagreement, especially when one person accepts the other person's position.
Other meanings
- give inverb
Related words
- 折れやすいoreyasuieasy to breaki-adjective