Word
切れる
Meaning in Englishcut well, break, run out, lose temper
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
Related sentences
Related sentences
There are no published items in this section yet.
Word context
What it means
What does 切れる mean? It means to be sharp or to cut well, and it also describes things that become disconnected or exhausted; in use, it spans physical cutting, signal interruptions, and mental acuity.
Main meanings
- be sharp or cut well — used for blades, tools, and metaphorically for a keen mind
- to be cut off or disconnected — for calls, signals, or power
- to run out or expire — used with time or resources in some contexts
- to be quick-witted or mentally sharp — common in phrases like 頭が切れる
How to use it
Used intransitively across casual and formal speech to describe physical cutting, sharpness, or the ending of a connection; common patterns include 包丁はよく切れる and 電話が切れる, with slang usage in キレる to indicate sudden anger or temper, especially in informal conversation.
Variants and close terms
- 鋭い (surudoi) — sharp
- 鋭利な (eiri na) — keen, razor-sharp
- 頭が切れる (atama ga kireru) — quick-witted
- 鈍い (nibui) — dull
- キレる (kireru) — slang meaning to snap or lose one's temper
Composition
- 切: a kanji meaning cut, edge, or sever; れる: an ichidan verb ending that turns the root into an intransitive state; together they form 切れる, to be capable of cutting or to be cut
Word class
verb (ichidan)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N3
切れ
kire
cut piece, slice, cut
N3
横切る
yokogiru
cross, traverse
N3
切り
kiri
limit, stopping point, end section
N3
適切
tekisetsu
appropriate, adequate, relevance
N4
親切
shinsetsu
kindness, helpfulness
N5
切符
kippu
ticket
N5
切手
kitte
stamp, postage stamp
N5
切る
kiru
cut, hang up
N5
大切
taisetsu
important, precious, valuable
Kanji