吹っ切る

• Reading: ふっきる
• Romaji: fukkiru
• Kanji breakdown: 切 (ki) — cut, sever, finish
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯk.ki.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To get over something; to break free from; to put behind oneself and move on.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb that combines an emphatic prefix ふっ (from 吹く, blow) with 切る (kiru, to cut through/finish decisively). Expresses the act of decisively cutting oneself free from doubt, regret, attachment, or a bad habit. The emphasis is on an internal act of will rather than a slow healing process.

Examples

1. 失恋の痛みを吹っ切るために、彼は旅に出た。 To get over the pain of heartbreak, he set off on a journey.
2. 迷いを吹っ切って、ついに起業する決断を下した。 Cutting through his hesitation, he finally made the decision to start his own business.
3. 過去を吹っ切り、新たな一歩を踏み出す時が来た。 The time has come to put the past behind and take a new first step.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, self-improvement, narrative, daily life

Tone: resolute

Origin & History

Colloquial compound formed from ふっ (emphatic variant of 吹く, blow) + 切る (cut/finish). The image is of blowing something away entirely, cutting it off at the root. The casual register of the prefix ふっ gives the verb a colloquial, decisive feel.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal