水を切る

• Reading: みずをきる
• Romaji: mizu wo kiru
• Kanji breakdown: 水 (mizu/sui) — water; 切 (ki/setsu) — to cut, sever
• Pronunciation: /mi.zɯ.o.ki.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To drain the water; to squeeze out liquid. Used when removing water from food or objects.

A compound expression combining 水 (water) with 切る (to cut). Group 1 (godan) conjugation via 切る. Commonly used in cooking instructions when draining tofu, vegetables, or noodles. Can also refer to wringing out cloth or shaking off water.

Examples

1. 豆腐はしっかり水を切ってから炒めてください。 Please drain the tofu thoroughly before stir-frying it.
2. 洗った野菜の水を切るのを忘れて、サラダがびしょびしょになった。 I forgot to drain the washed vegetables and the salad got soaking wet.
3. ざるに麺を入れて水を切った。 I put the noodles in a colander and drained them.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food preparation, daily life

Tone: instructional

Origin & History

Compound of 水 (water) and 切る (to cut/sever). The metaphor of 'cutting' water conveys the act of separating liquid from a solid.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal